Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University softball team split its doubleheader against Morgan State on Saturday at the Lady Pirates Softball Complex, taking the first game 8-6 before losing the second game 6-2 in eight innings.

The Lady Pirates (12-18, 1-1 MEAC) have won eight of their last 14 games.

Hampton jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the first game, thanks to an RBI single from freshman Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.) and a two-run single from junior Shine Huwe (Green Bay, Wisc.).

Sophomore Margaret Wilkins (Tustin, Calif.) doubled home a pair of runs in the second inning to give Hampton a 5-0 lead, before Morgan State got on the board in the top of the third inning to cut that lead to 5-1.

Huwe pounded a two-run home run, her fourth of the season, to left-center field in the third inning to put the Lady Pirates up 7-1.

Another Morgan State run in the fourth cut the lead to 7-2, but the Lady Pirates answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, going up 8-2 after senior Sharde' Estep (Aquasco, Md.) singled to left-center field to bring home junior Nina Ferguson (Plymouth, Minn.).

The Lady Bears (5-12, 1-1 MEAC) scored four times in the top of the fifth, thanks largely to a two-run single by Danielle Lugo and an RBI double from Amber Bachman, to cut Hampton's lead to 8-6.

However, Morgan State left the bases loaded and never threatened again.

Jackson went 4.2 innings on the mound, striking out four and giving up just two earned runs in picking up her fifth win of the season. She also went 3-for-3 at the plate in the first game, driving in a run and scoring twice.

Huwe went 2-for-2 at the plate, driving in four runs. Wilkins drove in two runs on two hits.

Morgan State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning in the second game, and a pitchers' duel ensued before the Lady Pirates broke through in the bottom of the sixth on a Huwe RBI single to left field, cutting the Lady Bears' lead to 2-1.

The Lady Pirates tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a pinch-hit single from junior Carla Trimble (Riverside, Calif.), and forced extra innings.

Morgan State re-gained the lead in the top of the eighth inning, scoring four times on the strength of two hits and two passed balls.

Senior Travonna Byrd (Newport News, Va.), the reigning MEAC Pitcher of the Week, struck out four in eight innings of work.

Huwe went 2-for-3 at the plate in the second game, while Wilkin went 2-for-4.

The Lady Pirates will conclude their series against Morgan State on Sunday with one game, which will start at 12 p.m. at the Lady Pirates Softball Complex. 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.