Hampton Softball Opens with a Pair of Wins

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Hampton University softball team opened its 2016 season on Saturday with a pair of wins at the Runnin’ Bulldog Tournament, defeating Hartford and Gardner-Webb at Brinkley Softball Stadium.

The Lady Pirates (2-0) opened the day with a 6-1 win over Hartford, before holding on to defeat the host Bulldogs 4-3.

Against Hartford, senior Diamond Ponds, sophomore Jada Fields, and senior Taylor McCoy each had two hits in the first game. Grassini drove in three runs.

Fields picked up her first win of the season in the circle, giving up just three hits in seven innings.

Against Gardner-Webb, Fields led the Lady Pirates with three hits in the second game, while junior Kayla DeSchepper drove in two runs.

Sophomore Allyson Babinsack picked up her first win of the season, striking out two and scattering seven hits over seven innings of work.

The Lady Pirates will square off against these same two teams on Sunday to wrap up the tournament.

For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com

Savannah State Drops Pair of Games at USC Upstate Tournament

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Savannah State University softball team (2-7) dropped both games by falling to Akron (2-7) 5-4 in nine innings and to host USC Upstate (6-0) 14-4 in five innings at the USC Upstate Tournament Saturday at the Cyrill Stadium.

Center fielder Shelby Eccles went 5-for-6 with an RBI in both games, while second basemen Molly Lillis 2-for-2 with an RBI, while junior designated hitter Amanda Hallman went 2-for-7 with two RBIs.

For more information, visit www.ssuathletics.com

North Carolina Central Shut Out by Oakland and Kent State

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Sophomore shortstop Danyelle Noland had a hit in both games but the North Carolina Central University softball team was held to just five total hits on the day in a pair of losses to Oakland University (8-0) and Kent State University (3-0) at Furman University’s Pepsi Stadium in the Upstate Invitational Saturday.

The Lady Eagles fell to 0-6 on the season after being blanked for the third and fourth times. NCCU has scored just one run in the first four games of the Upstate Invitational. The Maroon and Gray will conclude play in the Upstate Invite against event host USC Upstate at Cyrill Stadium in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Sunday at 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.nccueaglepride.com