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Hampton Softball Back on The Road to Take North Carolina A&T

HAMPTON, Va. (March 28, 2024) … After taking its first Coastal Athletic Association series in program history, Hampton University Softball returns to action against North Carolina A&T. Historically the matchup favors the Lady Pirates with HU taking seven of the last 10 games. However, the Aggies took the season series 2-1 last year. This weekend's three-game series begins with a doubleheader on Friday at noon.

A Look at the Lady Pirates

Awards continue to roll in for the Hampton softball program. Taryn Bennett was named the CAA Rookie of the Week. The freshman pitcher currently has the best record on the squad with a 6-2. While opponents have a .253 batting average against her, she has only given up 15 extra-base hits. Early in the season, Angelina Branch would also be selected as the CAA Rookie of the Week. Branch in her first start since Feb. 24 and pitched three innings and struck out three batters. The Lady Pirates bullpen has been one of the team's strengths giving up the fewest home runs in the league. 

Emily Kepple has been on a tear since returning to the lineup. The Dayton, Ohio native is currently on a seven-game hitting streak. Kepple in the series against Charleston recorded four hits and two RBIs. In her 22 starts, Kepple has the highest batting average on the team with a .348. Senior Brooke Williams also has been a key contributor on the offense end. Williams in the games against the Cougars went 5-8 from the plate while producing two RBIs.

Hampton by the Numbers
  • 61: 32.1 percent of the Lady Pirates' hits this season have come during the last seven games 
  • 8: Emily Kepple is also a defensive force catching the 29th most runners stealing in the nation
  • 101: The Lady Pirates have drawn the most walks in the CAA this season
  • 33: Carmynn Bonner is second in the conference for hits
  • 11: 33 percent of Bonner's hits this season have been doubles which is the most in the CAA

A Look at the Aggies

North Carolina A&T enters the three-game series with an overall record of 6-21 and is 0-9 in the CAA. After starting the 2024 campaign 0-4, the Aggies went 6-4 in their next 10. Since defeating Norfolk State 4-2 in the second game of a doubleheader, N.C. A&T has lost 13 straight. The Aggies are coached by Jose Gonzalez who enters his first season with the program. Gonzalez before arriving to North Carolina A&T spent two seasons at Claflin. 

While the Aggies are second to last in the CAA for batting average (.237), they have two batters hitting over .300. Alyxx Estrada currently leads the team in hits (25) and in batting average with a .321. Junior pitcher Joey Barkhimer is close behind with a .313. The Santee, Calif. native has had five multi-hit games this season. North Carolina A&T's go-to arm during the 2024 season has been Sharla Kirkpatrick pitching a team-high 61 innings.

North Carolina A&T by the Numbers
  • 49: The Aggies have stolen the third most bases in the conference
  • 0.33: On average North Carolina A&T is producing the fourth most double plays per game
  • 10: Coach Gonzalez's Bullpen has hit the second fewest batters in the CAA
  • 12: Alyxx Estrada currently sits third in the league for stolen bases
  • 4: The Aggies are producing the fourth most runs per contest in the conference
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Players Mentioned

Brooke Williams

#9 Brooke Williams

UTL
5' 9"
Senior
Taryn Bennett

#12 Taryn Bennett

P
5' 10"
Freshman
Angelina Branch

#27 Angelina Branch

P/OF
5' 8"
Freshman
Emily Kepple

#32 Emily Kepple

C/INF
5' 9"
Sixth Year
Carmynn Bonner

#43 Carmynn Bonner

P/OF
5' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Brooke Williams

#9 Brooke Williams

5' 9"
Senior
UTL
Taryn Bennett

#12 Taryn Bennett

5' 10"
Freshman
P
Angelina Branch

#27 Angelina Branch

5' 8"
Freshman
P/OF
Emily Kepple

#32 Emily Kepple

5' 9"
Sixth Year
C/INF
Carmynn Bonner

#43 Carmynn Bonner

5' 7"
Sophomore
P/OF