HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University softball team defeated rival Norfolk State 4-1 on Saturday at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium in front of a national ESPNU audience, taking over first place in the MEAC Northern Division.

The Lady Pirates (29-22, 15-1 MEAC) have won 11 of their last 12 games and have taken over first place in the MEAC North. With a split of Sunday's regular-season ending doubleheader, Hampton will clinch its first MEAC North title since 2008.

Norfolk State (25-18, 14-2 MEAC) had its 10-game winning streak snapped.

The Spartans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after an RBI single from Heather Dunning.

The Lady Pirates answered in the bottom of the third inning, though, taking a 2-1 lead after freshman Bobbi Langlois (Medina, Ohio) singled to left-center field with the bases loaded, scoring sophomore Bianca Vallejo (Chandler, Ariz.) and junior Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.).

Norfolk State threatened in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with no one out. But the rally fizzled after Gipsy Ramirez flew out to center field and freshman Diamond Ponds (Riverside, Calif.) threw out Kathy Cortez at home plate.

Dunning grounded out to end the inning and leave the Spartans scoreless in the frame.

Hampton scored another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, after senior Carla Trimble (Riverside, Calif.) led off the inning with a single and advanced to third base after a sacrifice bunt and a fly ball to center field.

Trimble then scored on a passed ball to put the Lady Pirates up 3-1.

Wilkins singled to second in the bottom of the sixth, and senior Adrianna Scott (Laurel, Md.) scored on a throwing error to give Hampton a 4-1 lead.

Norfolk State committed three errors on the afternoon.

Wilkins led Hampton with two wins in four at-bats, while Langlois drove in two runs – marking the fourth straight game in which she has at least one RBI. Langlois also extended her hitting streak to eight games.

Sophomore Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.) picked up her 23rd win of the season, going all seven innings and recording 10 strikeouts. She scattered five hits in her 22nd complete game.

The Lady Pirates will close out the regular season on Sunday, celebrating Senior Day at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium with a doubleheader against Norfolk State 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.