WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Hampton University softball team split a doubleheader against rival Howard on Saturday, winning the first game 2-0 before falling 8-1 in the second game.
 
The Lady Pirates (13-18, 5-2 MEAC) have won eight of their last 10 games.
 
Freshman Jada Fields (Woodland Park, N.J.) got the Lady Pirates on the board in the top of the second inning of the first game with her second home run of the season, a solo shot to center field that put Hampton up 1-0.
 
Freshman Allyson Babinsack (Hampton, Va.) singled with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, scoring Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.) and giving the Lady Pirates a 2-0 lead.
 
Babinsack led the way with two of Hampton's eight hits in the first game, and she struck out seven batters in seven innings to pick up her 10th win of the season.
 
Babinsack has won her last seven decisions.
 
That momentum carried into the second game, as the Lady Pirates got on the board in the top of the first inning when junior Taylor McCoy (Riverview, Fla.) singled to bring home Wilkins and give Hampton a 1-0 lead.
 
But Howard scored eight times in the fourth inning – including a pair of two-run doubles and three singles that accounted for four more runs.
 
Fields and junior Diamond Ponds (Riverside, Calif.) each had two hits.
 
The Lady Pirates will wrap up the Howard series on Sunday 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.