LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Hampton University softball team will play a pair of non-conference doubleheaders later this week, starting with a twinbill on Thursday against Liberty at 3 p.m. and concluding with a doubleheader at Virginia Tech on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
On the Road Again: Each of the Lady Pirates' next seven games are on the road.
 
Last Time Out: The Lady Pirates (11-16, 4-2 MEAC) are in a three-way tie for the top spot in the MEAC Northern Division after taking two out of three games against rival Howard this past weekend – including a 9-1, five-inning win in Saturday's series finale.
 
The Opponents: The Lady Pirates are 10-42 all-time against Liberty; the two teams played four times last season, with the Flames winning three of those meetings. Hampton is also 1-3 against Virginia Tech, though the two teams haven't met since 2010. Hampton's lone win over the Hokies came in 1996.
 
Coach DiPietro: Joe DiPietro is in his second season as head coach of the Lady Pirates, after a five-year tenure as the head coach 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.
 
Grassini With a Good First Impression: Nineteen games into her college career, freshman Ashley Grassini already has two home runs; she hit them both in Hampton's season-opening tournament at Gardner-Webb. For the weekend, went 4-for-11 (.364) at the plate, driving in four runs. Three of those RBIs came in the Lady Pirates' season-opening 6-1 win over Hartford. She and freshman Allie Hotetz are tied for the team lead in homers.
 
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. She is fifth on the team in batting so far this season at .306.
 
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. So far this season, Ponds has stolen four bases in six attempts.
 
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. She had two doubles earlier this season against Manhattan. So far this season, Budden has seven walks and a team-high five stolen bases.
 
Newcomers: Seven freshmen have joined the Lady Pirates this season, including Hotetz and catchers Grassini and Sarah Kollas. 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.