BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Hampton University softball team opened its 2016 season on Saturday with a pair of wins at the Runnin' Bulldog Tournament, defeating Hartford and Gardner-Webb at Brinkley Softball Stadium.
 
The Lady Pirates (2-0) opened the day with a 6-1 win over Hartford, before holding on to defeat the host Bulldogs 4-3.
 
Hampton struck first in the top of the first inning, thanks to RBI singles from sophomore Allyson Babinsack and sophomore Jada Fields. Junior Danielle Budden, who had walked to lead off the inning, scored on Babinsack's single, and Fields' base hit from home senior Diamond Ponds.
 
Hartford answered with a run in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 2-1, and the game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth. Freshman Ashley Grassini hit her first career home run, a two-run shot to left center field that put Hampton up 4-1.
 
A bases-loaded walk to freshman Hope Sobolewski in the top of the seventh put the Lady Pirates up 5-1, before Grassini hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring freshman Allie Hotetz and giving Hampton a 6-1 lead.
 
Ponds, Fields, and senior Taylor McCoy each had two hits in the first game. Grassini drove in three runs.
 
Fields picked up her first win of the season in the circle, giving up just three hits in seven innings.
 
In the second game, Gardner-Webb held a 2-0 lead after three innings, scoring once each in the bottom of the first and the bottom of the third. But the Lady Pirates responded in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three times and taking the lead.
 
Fields singled to lead off the inning, before Sobolewski singled and Grassini walked to load the bases with nobody out. Junior Kayla DeSchepper then doubled to right center field, bringing in Fields and Sobolewski to tie the game at 2-2.
 
Junior Taylor Clark then singled home Grassini to put Hampton up 3-2.
 
The Lady Pirates tacked on another run in the top of the fifth, starting with a leadoff double from Babinsack. Sophomore MacKenzie Wise pinch ran for Babinsack, eventually scoring on a single from Sobolewski to give Hampton a 4-2 lead.
 
Scarlett Harris hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead to 4-3, and the Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs. But Babinsack got Jill Blank to hit a comebacker that ended the rally and the game.
 
Fields led the Lady Pirates with three hits in the second game, while DeSchepper drove in two runs.
 
Babinsack picked up her first win of the season, striking out two and scattering seven hits over seven innings of work.
 
The Lady Pirates will square off against these same two teams on Sunday to wrap up the tournament. 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.