Box Score

Hampton, Va. – Sophomore designated hitter Casandra Tool blasted her first career grand slam in the fifth inning to lead the Lady Pirates (12-4) of Hampton University to a 7-1 win over South Carolina State (2-19) in the championship game of the HU Softball Tournament. For her efforts Toole was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after finishing the weekend with two home runs, a double and seven RBIs.

With the scored tied at one after two innings, Hampton added a run in the third on an RBI single by Maggie Wolfe that scored Brittany Davis who reached base on a throwing error by South Carolina State shortstop Krystal Anthony. The Lady Pirates increased their lead to 3-1 in the fourth courtesy of a wild pitch by Lady Bulldogs starter TaTreka Polite, scoring pinch runner Joselyn Matthews from third.

Toole put the game out of reach in the fifth when with the bases loaded she caught a hold off an offering by Polite and placed it over the left-center-field fence to provide the final 7-1 margin and increase the Lady Pirates winning streak to seven games.

Amanda Black (6-1) pitched four innings, striking out five and allowing just one run to earn the win for the Lady Pirates who also got a solid effort on the mound from freshman Jada Jeffries. Jeffries came in in relief and threw three innings of no-hit ball, striking out two along the way.