GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Hampton University softball team dropped its opener in the Gainesville Regional of the 2013 Division I Softball Championships on Friday, losing 7-1 to No. 2 overall seed Florida at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The MEAC champion Lady Pirates (34-25) will take on Georgia Southern in the loser's bracket on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Georgia Southern lost 1-0 to South Florida in Friday's first game.

Hampton struck first in the top of the first inning, picking up an unearned run. Junior Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.) led off the game by reaching on an error and advancing to second base, before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Bianca Vallejo (Chandler, Ariz.).

She then scored on an RBI groundout from freshman Taylor McCoy (Riverview, Fla.).

That lead held until the bottom of the third inning, when the No. 2/3 Gators (53-7) scored four runs to take a 4-1 lead. Lauren Haeger got the scoring started with an RBI single to center field with the bases loaded, before Taylor Schwarz brought in another run with a sac fly to right field.

An RBI single from Kelsey Horton and an RBI triple from Briana Little rounded out the scoring in the inning.

Solo home runs from Horton and Taylore Fuller in the bottom of the fifth gave the Gators a 6-1 lead, and Haeger recorded another RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to put Florida up 7-1.

Alyssa Bache held the Lady Pirates to just two hits in seven innings pitched, striking out four. Senior Carla Trimble (Riverside, Calif.)and freshman Diamond Ponds (Riverside, Calif.) each recorded a hit for Hampton.

Sophomore Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.), the MEAC Pitcher of the Year, recorded two strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work, giving her 250 for the season and extending her program record for most strikeouts in a single season.

Florida will face South Florida on Saturday 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.