CARY, N.C. – The Hampton University softball team split a twinbill on Monday at North Carolina Central falling 4-2 in the opener and winning the nightcap 5-3.
In game one, Hampton fell behind 3-0 after two innings before starting to chip away.
Taylor Warrick started the top of the third with a double and advanced to third on a groundout by
Cassidy Blackwell. After a foul out by
Danielle Budden, a fly ball by
Quierra Bradford to left field was dropped allowing Warrick to score and trim the deficit to 3-1.
The Eagles put another run up in the fourth before Hampton responded with a run in the top of the fifth. With two outs, three straight singles by Blackwell, Budden and Bradford plated the final run in the 4-2 opening game loss.
Allyson Babinsack took the loss on the mound throwing all six innings allowing three hits and striking out four. Warrick was 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk to lead the Lady Pirates at the plate.
In game two, Hampton took advantage of three NCCU errors to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Bradford drove in a run with a single and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Budden. The third run scored on a throwing error.
The lead grew to 4-0 in the top of the third as Bradford walked and went to second on a
Jada Fields singled. Following a walk to
Sarah Kollas,
Kial Watts grounded out to score Bradford.
After the Eagles put up three runs in the bottom of the fourth to trim the deficit to 4-3, Hampton scratched an insurance run as Bradford started the inning with a triple to right and Kollas singled in pinch-runner
Brianna Anderson.
Allie Hotetz earned the victory throwing seven innings and allowing five hits while striking out four. Bradford was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two walks and a RBI, while Fields was 2-for-3.
Hampton (3-11) returns to action in Wilmington, N.C. on Friday in the UNCW Softball Invitational facing the host Seahawks at 3 pm and then Youngstown State at 5:30 pm.
For more information on Hampton University softball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
