HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University softball team fell in a non-conference doubleheader to Big South power, Liberty University, by scores of 10-0 and 3-0 on Thursday afternoon.
 
Liberty pounced on the Lady Pirates early, scoring four runs in the second, capitalizing on a pair of HU errors. The Flames added a pair in the third on two RBI infield singles to make it 6-0.
 
Liberty put the game out of reach in the fifth with four more runs, highlighted by a long solo home run by Amber Bishop.
 
DaSha Hill had one of Hampton's two hits in game one. Two pitches later, she stole second base, giving her 41 steals on the season. Her 1.0 steals per game average currently leads all of Division I.
 
Taylor Hoffman went 3-for-3 at the plate for Liberty while Madison Via scored three runs and Alexia Taylor drove in four.
 
Chase Cassady (8-2) took the win for Liberty while Allyson Babinsack (10-11) was saddled with the loss for the Lady Pirates after throwing the first three innings.
 
Hampton fell behind early in the second game as Liberty scored two in the first, adding another in the second to go up 3-0. Amber Bishop and Autumn Bishop both registered RBI doubles in the charge.
 
HU starter Allie Hotetz settled down after that, allowing just three base runners over the final five innings.
 
Liberty starter Emily Kirby held Hampton to just one hit until the seventh inning when the Lady Pirates tried to rally their way back.
 
Kial Watts led off the frame with an infield single before Taylor Warrick doubled down the right-field line, but a base running miscue cost the Lady Pirates an out. Kirby retired the next two Hampton batters to close out the game.
 
Kirby (2-1) went the distance for Liberty (39-12) while Hotetz (8-10) threw a complete game as well for the Lady Pirates.
 
Hampton (19-22/8-4) travels to Norfolk State (19-28/8-7) for a three-game series this weekend. The squads will meet for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. before a noon start on Sunday.
 
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.