Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Hampton University softball team lost all three games of a series against Howard at Banneker Field, dropping both of Saturday's games before losing the series finale on Sunday.
The Lady Pirates (18-31, 6-3 MEAC) lost the first game on Saturday 15-2 in five innings, before dropping the second game 11-3 in five innings.
Howard took Sunday's game 5-2 to complete the sweep.
The Lady Pirates struck first on Sunday, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Tamara Vickers (Lawndale, Calif.) hit her first home run of the season, a shot to center field, before Adrianna Scott (Laurel, Md.) drove in Kelsei Saunders (Suffolk, Va.) with a single up the middle.
Hampton's 2-0 lead held until the bottom of the second inning, when the Bison scored three runs. Trina Kindred knocked in a pair of runs with a double, before Courtney Young singled home another run.
Howard added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to complete the three-game sweep.
Vickers went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI for the Lady Pirates on Sunday, while Travonna Byrd (Newport News, Va.) went 2-for-3. Sydni Benton (Chicago, Ill.) struck out five batters in six innings of work.
Hampton also had the early lead in Saturday's first game, going up 1-0 in the top of the second inning after Byrd scored on an error. The Bison answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning, though, thanks in large part to a grand slam from Young.
Howard would add four more runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run single from Nicole Saez, before adding six more runs in the fourth inning. Aisha Ledet tripled home three runs after Kindred doubled home a pair.
Saunders singled home a run in the top of the fifth inning.
Tiffany Brents (Chino Hills, Calif.) went 2-for-2 at the plate in Saturday's first game.
Howard jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of Saturday's second game, before the Lady Pirates took a 3-2 lead in the third inning. Saunders singled up the middle to bring home a pair of runs, before Rebecca Magett (Grand Rapids, Mich.) scored on a wild pitch.
Howard regained the lead in the fourth inning with five runs; Kindred singled home a run before Christine Sborz brought in two more with a double and Ledet recorded a sacrifice fly. Four more runs in the fifth inning – highlighted by a two-run single from Ledet – brought the game to its final margin.
The Lady Pirates will return to action on Wednesday, when they return to Lady Pirates Field for a doubleheader against Liberty. First pitch will be at 1 p.m. 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.
