Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Hampton University softball team completed a three-game sweep of Morgan State on Saturday and Sunday to remain undefeated in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) action at Coppin State Field.
The Lady Pirates (18-24, 6-0 MEAC) swept Saturday's doubleheader, taking the first game 17-9 before winning the second game 18-3 in five innings. Hampton then won Sunday's game 9-7 to complete the sweep.
Hampton scored in four of seven innings in the first game on Saturday, opening the game with four runs in the first inning. Kelsei Saunders (Suffolk, Va.) drove in a run with a single to the shortstop, before Adrianna Scott (Laurel, Md.) and Brooke Boykin (Riverside, Calif.) each walked in a run.
Rebecca Magett (Grand Rapids, Mich.) singled home two runs in the second inning, before Tamara Vickers (Lawndale, Calif.) singled home a run to open a six-run third inning for the Lady Pirates. Saunders singled home another run, before Sharde' Estep (Aquasco, Md.) drove in another run on a fielder's choice and Magett doubled home another run.
Four more runs in the top of the seventh inning – thanks in part to a two-run double from Scott – helped the Lady Pirates take the first game. Jada Jeffries (Lithonia, Ga.) struck out four in seven innings of work to pick up her ninth win of the season.
Saunders went 4-for-4 at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring four times.
A 13-run first inning helped Hampton take the second game of the doubleheader, kicked off by an RBI single from Boykin. Saunders added a grand slam to left-center field, and Sydni Benton (Chicago, Ill.) drove in another run, as did Travonna Byrd (Newport News, Va.).
Saunders singled home two more runs in the second inning, before Estep doubled home another run to give Hampton a 16-0 lead. Tiffany Brents (Chino Hills, Calif.) scored on a wild pitch in the third inning, and Boykin doubled home another run in the fourth inning.
Byrd struck out four batters and gave up just three hits in three innings of work to pick up her sixth win of the season.
Hampton opened Sunday with four runs in the first inning, thanks to a throwing error, a fielder's choice and a two-run single from Byrd. After Morgan State (4-20, 0-6 MEAC) scored a run in the third inning, the Lady Pirates got back on the board in the fourth on a two-run home run from Estep.
The Lady Bears answered with three in the bottom of the inning, but Hampton answered on an RBI groundout from Boykin. The Lady Pirates added two runs in the sixth inning, when Byrd tripled home two more runs.
Byrd went 3-for-4 in Sunday's game, driving in four runs.
Benton went four innings, giving up seven hits in picking up her third win of the season.
The Lady Pirates will return to action on Wednesday, when they take on the University of Virginia in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Lady Pirates Field. For more information on Hampton University softball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
