HAMPTON, Va. – Cassidy Blackwell went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs for Hampton but the Lady Pirates dropped a 12-8 decision to Rutgers in the opening day of the Pirate Classic.

Hampton's scheduled game with North Dakota was postponed until Sunday at 2 pm due to the noreaster hitting Hampton Roads.

The Lady Pirates pushed a run across in the first inning and took the lead to 4-2 after putting up three in the bottom of the third.  Blackwell drove in two of those with a single to left to plate Alana VanDenburg and DeSha Hill. 

Rutgers exploded for six runs in the top of the fourth but Hampton responded with a quick two runs in the bottom of the inning.  Brianna Anderson opened with a walk and scored on a Sarah Kollas double.  Kollas scored on a double by Lorena Alvarez.

The Scarlet Knights scratched a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to hold a 12-6 lead.  In the bottom of the seventh, Hampton used a two-run single by Blackwell to score Taylor Warrick and Kial Watts for the final margin.

Joining Blackwell with three hits on the day was Watts who was 3-for-4 with a run scored and one driven in.

Hampton returns to action on Saturday at 1 pm facing Maryland Eastern Shore and then a rematch with Rutgers at 3 pm.

For more information on Hampton University softball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.