HAMPTON, VA --- Howard softball split the first two games of its three-game set with the Hampton University Lady Pirates, snapping its losing streak at 27 games. The Lady Bison fell in the first game (4-3) before rallying to take the second game (6-4).

Howard's record now stands at 2-27 (1-10 MEAC) while Hampton moves to 14-17 (5-3)

GAME 1: HOWARD 3, HAMPTON 4
In the series opener, Hampton got on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. After a scoreless second, Howard tied the game on a RBI single by freshman Imani Ballard in the top of the third. The Lady Pirates took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third after platting three runs in succession. 

Howard cut Hampton's lead to 4-3 after sophomore Sade Estes drove in a run on a fielder's choice and junior Briana Banks brought in another on a sacrifice bunt. Unfortunately, Howard could not score another run to tie the game over the next three innings.

Ballard and Estes had four of the Lady Bison's nine hits in the game; Ballard was perfect at the plate (2-for-2) while Estes went 2-for-3.

GAME 2: HOWARD 6, HAMPTON 4
Sophomore Jasmine Gammons led the way in Howard's first win since their 2-1 season opening triumph over George Washington on March 7. Gammons knocked in three of the Lady Bison's season-high 12 hits, drove in a third of the team's six runs, scored a pair of runs, and added a stolen base. Junior Jenny Ly also drove in two runs on a 1-for-3 outing, while sophomore Dominique Lawrence and Ballard had a RBI each.

Freshman Alex Flynn earned her second victory after pitching a complete game with two strikeouts, one walk and four runs (three unearned) on eight hits.

Ballard opened the scoring with a first inning RBI double that brought home Flynn from second.

A Hampton RBI double in the bottom of the first tied things up at 1-1. 

In the second, Howard was able to turn a bases loaded opportunity into a 2-1 lead. Gammons singled and ended up on third after a throwing error and Ly ground out. Senior Ashley Turner would walk and Estes would reach base on a fielder's choice. Lawrence would pinch hit for Banks and take a hit by pitch to bring Gammons in.

Flynn would retire the side in the second and the Lady Bison would tack on two more runs in the third on a Gammons RBI single and Ly sacrifice fly for a 4-1 lead. Hampton would match Howard's production in the bottom frame with two runs of their own, cutting the Lady Bison's lead to 4-3.

Gammons and Ly would again drive in runs together in the fourth after the pair each hit two-out, RBI singles.

A RBI single in the bottom of the fifth brought Hampton within two, 6-4, but Flynn was able to keep the rest of the Lady Pirate bats at bay for the final two innings.

The two HU schools will play the rubber match of their set at 12 noon on Sunday, April 13.