PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The Hampton University softball team swept a doubleheader over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at Hawk Field, winning the first game 5-3 in eight innings before taking the second game 10-6.

The Lady Pirates (23-21, 10-1 MEAC) have won 12 of their last 15 games.

Freshman Taylor McCoy (Riverview, Fla.) gave Hampton a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the top of the first inning of the first game, before UMES tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Hawks then took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

The Lady Pirates answered with two runs in the top of the sixth, as senior Nina Ferguson (Plymouth, Minn.) tied the game at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to bring home McCoy. Junior Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.) scored on an error later in the inning to put Hampton up 3-2.

UMES tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth.

Sophomore Bianca Vallejo (Chandler, Ariz.) singled home a run in the top of the eighth inning, before senior Carla Trimble (Riverside, Calif.) scored later in the inning on an error to give the Lady Pirates a 5-3 lead.

McCoy and Wilkins each had three hits for the Lady Pirates.

Sophomore Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.) picked up her 17th win of the season after going the full eight innings on the mound, striking out seven and giving up just five hits.

UMES led the second game 2-0 after the first inning, but the Lady Pirates answered with three runs in the top of the second. Vallejo doubled in a run, before Wilkins hit a two-run double to put Hampton up 3-2.

The Lady Pirates then scored six runs in the top of the third, beginning with a sacrifice fly from sophomore Kerissa Burruel (Phoenix, Ariz). Trimble then singled home a run, before another run scored when Vallejo reached on a fielder's choice.

Freshman McKalee Rouse (Aledo, Texas) followed with an RBI single, before Wilkins sacrificed in another run and McCoy singled home yet another run to put Hampton up 9-2.

Vallejo brought in another run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly to put Hampton up 10-2.

UMES (11-27, 3-8 MEAC) scored twice in the bottom of the fourth and one run each in the sixth and seventh innings, but the Lady Hawks couldn't complete the comeback.

McCoy went 3-for-5 at the plate in the second game, while Ferguson, Trimble, Vallejo, and Rouse each had two hits. Wilkins led the way with three RBIs.

Freshman Bobbi Langlois (Medina, Ohio) picked up her fourth win of the season, striking out three in five innings.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Sunday, wrapping up their three-game set against UMES at 12 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.