HAMPTON, Va. – With a 4-3 win over Maryland Eastern Shore to close out the 2016 home slate on Sunday at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium, the Hampton University softball team completed a three-game sweep in the series.
 
The Lady Pirates improved to 15-24 overall and 7-5 in MEAC play.
 
Freshman Hope Sobelewski got the scoring started in the bottom of the fourth, hitting her second home run in as many days – a solo shot just shy of the scoreboard in left field to put Hampton up 1-0.
 
She now has three home runs on the season.
 
Senior Diamond Ponds got things going in the fifth with a single and a stolen base, before scoring on a single from senior Taylor McCoy to put the Lady Pirates up 2-0. Sophomore Jada Fields followed with a single to bring home Sobelewski, giving Hampton a 3-0 lead.
 
Junoor Kayla DeSchepper came up later in the inning with the bases loaded, drawing a walk that scored McCoy and gave Hampton a 4-0 lead.
 
UMES mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh, stringing together three hits and taking advantage of an error to cut the gap to 4-3. But a fielder's choice to third ended the rally and gave the Lady Pirates the win.
 
Fields led the Lady Pirates with two hits.
 
Freshman Allie Hotetz picked up her seventh win of the season in the circle, giving up five hits in 6.2 innings. Fields came in to pick up the save, her first of the season.
 
The Lady Pirates will be in Baltimore, Md. on Saturday and Sunday for a three-game set at Coppin State. 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.