HAMPTON, Va. – In Big South Conference softball action on Friday afternoon, North Carolina A&T lost to longtime rival Hampton 2-0 at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium.
A&T (12-26, 2-14 Big South) lost its eighth straight contest. The Aggies are seeking their first conference win since March 20. On Friday, Hampton (15-27, 5-11) did all of its scoring in the first inning.
The Aggies received a strong pitching performance from junior Kayla Douglas. Douglas went six innings, gave up two runs, one earned while striking out two and walking three.
Douglas' first inning saw her strike out the first batter she faced on a 3-2 pitch. But she then walked Mo'ne Davis. Janae Lyles followed with a double, and Emily Kepple walked to load the bases with one out for Kiaya Jeusi.
Jeusi delivered with an RBI single to left single to score Davis as the bases remained packed for Lauryn Brooks.
Brooks grounded out to freshman first baseman Mariah Headen. Headen stepped on the bag to get Brooks, but her off-target throw home led to Lyles scoring for a 2-0 Hampton lead. A fly out to center field by Samyah Richardson ended the inning.
The Aggies recorded their first hit of the game in the second inning after sophomore Kayla Taylor singled up the middle with two outs. But freshman Jailyn Tineo was out at second base unassisted to end the inning.
Freshman Dezianna Patmon doubled to left center with one out in the fourth inning, but Hampton caught Patmon stealing to end the inning.
The Aggies other scoring threat came in the sixth. Headen reached on a throwing error with one out. Then, sophomore Kendall Macauley reached on a fielder's as the Pirates forced out Headen at second.
Graduate Jazzmaine Hammond earned a two-out single to left to put runners on first and second for Patmon. But Patmon grounded out to end the threat.
After Douglas gave up two runs in the first, she retired the next nine batters she faced. However, the streak ended when she walked Richardson in the fourth inning. She quickly struck out Casey Walker to end the inning.
The Pirates did not get another hit off her until the fifth inning. Despite the strong outing, Douglas dropped to 0-4 on the season. Emily Workman (7-6) got the win in the circle for the Pirates.
