Hampton Softball Falls in Day One of Pirate-Spartan Challenge to South Dakota

Friday, February 28

Hampton, Va.

12:00 PM

Hampton University

6-7

South Dakota

10-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
South Dakota	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	4	4	0
Hampton University	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	8	1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
South Dakota	1	3	5	1	2	12	8	0
Hampton University	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3

Photo by: Nelson Cheeseman

Hampton Softball Falls in Day One of Pirate-Spartan Challenge to South Dakota

2.28.25 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HAMPTON, Va. (Feb. 28, 2025) … The Hampton University softball team began the first day of the Pirate-Spartan Challenge with two losses to South Dakota. The Pirates fell in game one 4-2 to the Coyotes. South Dakota's bats caught fire in game two scoring 12 runs in five innings. With the offense struggling for Hampton, the Coyotes took game two.

GAME ONE

Hampton and South Dakota were locked in a defensive battle through the first four innings. Neither side gave up a run during this stretch. Jada Evans got the start on the mound for the Pirates. Through the first four frames, Evans did not give up a single hit.

Coach Cat Tarvin's side was the only team to record a hit in the first four innings. The Pirates had an early hit in the first frame with Aitirihna Aiken's single up the middle. Carmynn Bonner also reached first on fielder's choice but Aiken was out. The Coyotes got out of danger with two consecutive outs.

In the bottom of the third, Hampton threatened to score with two outs. Aiken with her second hit of the day started the rally. Bonner continued her hitting streak with a base hit to the outfield. South Dakota pitcher got the Coyotes out of the frame with a strikeout.

South Dakota scored the contest first runs in the sixth inning. The Coyotes began the frame with a single up the middle and moved the baserunner on a sacrifice bunt. While Hampton got the second out of the stanza, a run came across for South Dakota. Two base knocks to the outfield and a wild pitch made it 4-0.

However, the Pirates responded in the bottom half of the inning. Hampton once again did its damage with two outs. Back-to-back base hits gave HU runners on first and second. Freshman Miyah Sutton's double to left center cleared the basses. After holding South Dakota scoreless in the seventh, Hampton had one more chance to tie the game. Aiken produced her third hit of the day in the seventh. Another strikeout by the Coyotes pitcher ended game one of the doubleheader.

GAME TWO

South Dakota got on the board in the first frame taking advantage of an error committed by the Pirates. While the Coyotes have success with a small ball approach, an inside the park homerun cleared the bases making it 4-0.

While Hampton was able to record three hits, Bonner and Megan Ramos were the only Pirates to record a hit. South Dakota's bats continued to produce throughout the next two innings tallied six runs. The Coyotes were able to score four of their six runs on extra base hits.

In the final frame, South Dakota took advantage of a fielding error made by Hampton, Both runs that came across the plate were unearned. The Pirates got out of the inning with a strikeout by freshman Ava Lester. Hampton had baserunners on first and second in the bottom half of the stanza. The Pirates drew a walk, and Megan Ramos had a base knock through the left side. While Ahmani Johnson flew out, the ball to right field advanced the runners. The Coyotes recorded back-to-back outs to end the contest.

Up Next

Hampton returns to action tomorrow in a doubleheader against UMass Lowell. Game one is set to begin at noon and will be on FloCollege.