BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Hampton University softball team will kick off the 2016 season this weekend at the Runnin' Bulldog Tournament hosted by Gardner-Webb at Brinkley Softball Stadium.
 
Schedule of Games: Hampton vs. Hartford, Saturday at 10 a.m.; Hampton at Gardner-Webb, Saturday at 12:30 p.m.; Hampton vs. Hartford, Sunday at 12 p.m.; Hampton at Gardner-Webb, Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Live Stats: Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Game 4.
 
Coach DiPietro: Joe DiPietro is entering his second season as head coach of the Lady Pirates, after a five-year tenure at Temple. Kendra Knight is entering her fourth season as an assistant coach with the program.
 
Lady Pirates Picked to Finish Second: The Lady Pirates were picked to finish second in the MEAC Northern Division this season, in a preseason poll voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors. Hampton, which returns eight letterwinners from last year's team, went 22-26 overall last season and 11-6 in conference play.
 
Babinsack Named First Team: Sophomore pitcher Allyson Babinsack was named Preseason First Team All-MEAC, as the preseason all-conference teams were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. Babinsack was a First Team All-MEAC selection last season, and the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) named her Second Team All-State.
 
Babinsack All-Around: Not only did Babinsack win 15 games in the circle and strike out 115 batters as a freshman, she was also third on the team with a .304 batting average. Her four home runs were second on the team, and Babinsack had a team-high 11 doubles and 37 RBIs. Her .471 slugging percentage was third on the team.
 
McCoy a Force: Senior infielder Taylor McCoy was a Second Team All-MEAC selection in 2015, after leading the team with a .376 batting average and three triples. Her 10 doubles were second-most on the team, and McCoy drove in 36 runs. Her .511 slugging percentage was the team's best, and she had a .468 on-base percentage. Her .991 fielding percentage was also best on the team.
 
Fields Brings the Pop: Sophomore infielder Jada Fields led the Lady Pirates with six home runs last season, while also ranking third with seven doubles. In addition, she drove in 22 runs and scored 22 times on the season. Her .504 slugging percentage was the second highest on the team.
 
Ponds a Speedster: Senior outfielder Diamond Ponds is a terror on the basepaths, having led the Lady Pirates with 14 stolen bases last season. It was her second straight season with 14 steals, and Ponds has 50 career stolen bases heading into the season.
 
Budden Looking to Bounce Back: After being named First Team All-MEAC as a freshman in 2014, junior infielder Danielle Budden hit .230 with 12 RBIs last season. Budden, who last season was a Preseason First Team All-MEAC selection, had three doubles and two home runs last season.
 
Newcomers: Seven freshmen have joined the Lady Pirates this season, including pitcher Allie Hotetz and catchers Sarah Kollas and Ashley Grassini. Also joining Hampton this season: infielder Morgan Crawford, outfielder Hope Sobolewski, infielder Daniella Milloy, and outfielder Kial Watts. Transfers MacKenzie Wise (Dominican College) and Quierra Bradford (Pensacola State College) also join the Lady Pirates this season.
 
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.