LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Hampton University softball team split a doubleheader against Liberty at the Liberty Softball Field on Wednesday, winning the first game 10-8 in extra innings before falling 10-1 in five innings in the second game.

The Lady Pirates (5-10) wasted no time striking in the first game, as junior Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.) led off the game with a home run to left field. Her first long ball of the season gave Hampton the quick 1-0 lead.

Liberty took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning, but Hampton answered with a run in the third to tie the game at 2-2 on an RBI single down the left field line from senior Nina Ferguson (Plymouth, Minn.).

Hampton then scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning, taking a 6-2 lead. Senior Adrianna Scott (Laurel, Md.) singled up the middle to bring home a pair of runs, before sophomore Kerissa Burruel (Phoenix, Ariz.) singled to right field to bring in two more runs.

Liberty scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to close the gap to 6-5. Before scoring in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 6-6 and force extra innings.

The Lady Pirates loaded the bases in the top of the eighth inning, before senior Shine Huwe (Green Bay, Wisc.) hit a grand slam to straightaway center field, her first homer of the season, to give Hampton a 10-6 lead.

The Flames (4-7) scored twice in the bottom of the eighth, but the Lady Pirates still got the win.

Wilkins was 4-for-4 at the plate in the first game, while Huwe drove in four runs.

Sophomore Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.) picked up her fourth win of the season on the mound, going the full eight innings and striking out eight batters. It was her third straight appearance with at least eight strikeouts.

Liberty scored four runs in the first inning of the second game, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead before adding four more runs in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead and grab control. The Lady Pirates scored their run in the top of the fourth, when Huwe reached on an error and freshman Bobbi Langlois (Medina, Ohio) scored.

Liberty added two runs in the fourth to escape the sweep.

Burruel went 2-for-2 at the plate in the second game.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, when they head to Birmingham, Ala. to compete in the Tiny Laster Tournament. 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.