HAMPTON, Va. – A seven-run third inning proved to be the difference on Friday as Howard defeated Hampton 7-6 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division contest.

Hampton scored two runs in the top of the first as DaSha Hill singled and stole second before scoring on a triple by Cassidy Blackwell.  Kial Watts drove in Blackwell with a double for a 2-0 lead after one.

In the second, Daniella Milloy singled and stole second before moving to third on a single by Lorena Alvarez.  Blackwell drove in both with a single down the right field line.  A double by Alana VanDenburg moved Blackwell to third and she scored on a groundout by Watts.  Morgan Crawford followed with a single to score VanDenburg as Hampton held a 6-0 lead after two.

Howard put up seven runs on five hits with a pair of Hampton errors in the seven-run third.  Breanna Robinson had a two-run single and Brooklyn Emory drove in two with a double to highlight the outburst.

Blackwell was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and drove in three to lead Hampton, while Watts was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in.

These teams will play a doubleheader starting at 11:30 am on Saturday to finish the three-game MEAC Northern Division series.

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.