HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University softball team opened its home conference slate on Friday with a 6-2 win over Delaware State at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium in the start of a three-game series.

The Lady Pirates (17-18, 4-0 MEAC) have won six straight games.

Hampton opened up with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, starting with a two-run double from freshman Taylor McCoy (Riverview, Fla.), the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week, to score freshman Diamond Ponds (Riverside, Calif.) and junior Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.).

McCoy currently has a 12-game hitting streak.

Ferguson drove in McCoy later in the inning on a fielder's choice to give the Lady Pirates a 3-0 lead.

McCoy singled up the middle in the bottom of the second to drive in Ponds and give Hampton a 4-0 lead, before two more runs scored in the third when freshman McKalee Rouse (Aledo, Texas) tripled to right field to put the Lady Pirates up 6-0.

Delaware State (4-19, 0-1 MEAC) was held without a hit in the first three innings, before the Lady Hornets broke through in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of runs – cutting Hampton's lead to 6-2 after a two-run single from Rochelle Sablay.

Taylor went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Lady Pirates, driving in two runs, while Rouse also drove in two runs. Ponds also stole two bases, and she is 13-for-16 in stolen bases on the season.

Sophomore Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.) matched her win total form last season, going the distance in picking up her 13th win of the season on the mound. She struck out five batters and scattered seven hits – including three perfect innings to open the game.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Saturday, celebrating Parents' Weekend with a doubleheader against Delaware State at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium at 12 p.m. and 2 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.