ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The Hampton University softball team fell 3-2 to Bethune-Cookman in the semifinals of the 2012 MEAC Championships on Friday at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Lady Pirates (25-32) fall to the elimination bracket, where they will face either Savannah State or Florida A&M at 6 p.m. on Friday. Hampton defeated both teams on Thursday, beating Savannah State in the opening round and Florida A&M in the quarterfinals.

Bethune-Cookman (29-29) advanced to Saturday's championship round, which will begin at 1 p.m.

The Lady Wildcats struck first in the bottom of the second inning, when the pushed across a pair of runs, taking a 2-0 lead thanks to a two-run double to left field from Shamaria Engram.

Aurelia Gamch drove in another run in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single to left field to put Bethune-Cookman up 3-0.

The Lady Pirates responded in the top of the fifth inning with a pair of runs, starting when junior Nina Ferguson (Plymouth, Minn.) singled to left field to score senior Brooke Boykin (Riverside, Calif.). Senior Sharde' Estep (Aquasco, Md.) followed with an RBI single of her own to cut the lead to 3-2.

Hampton had runners on second and third in the top of the sixth, but the Lady Wildcats ended the rally.

Senior Travonna Byrd (Newport News, Va.) struck out four batters in four innings of work, giving up seven hits and two earned runs. Freshman Jailynn Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va.) struck out one in two innings of work.

Boykin led Hampton at the plate, going 3-for-3. Ferguson and junior Adrianna Scott (Laurel, Md.) each had two hits.

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.