Hampton staved off elimination Thursday in the consolation bracket of the 2009 MEAC Championship with a 5-0 win over Norfolk State.

The Lady Pirates (24-22) scored in the first inning, when Ashley Weissenbach singled home Evelyn Garcia for a 1-0 lead. Bre’Anna Brown gave Hampton a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, when she singled home Kelsei Saunders.

After scoring twice more in the fifth inning on a throwing error, Jada Jeffries hit her first home run of the season in the top of the seventh inning to push the game to its final margin.

Tiffany Brents went 3-for-3 at the plate against the Spartans, while Saunders went 3-for-4. Amanda Black picked up her 18th win of the season, going seven innings and giving up just three hits while striking out three and walking one.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Friday, when they take on Delaware State at 9 a.m. in consolation play.

Admission for the 2009 MEAC Softball Championship is $5 for children, students and seniors. Ticket prices for the entire tournament are $12.

For more information on MEAC Softball, log on to www.meacsports.com.