WASHINGTON, D.C --- The Howard University Softball team has begun the season with some rough losses at the Alabama State tournament last weekend. The losses came at the hand of Gardner-Webb, Alabama State, Akron, Eastern Kentucky and Omaha University. The Lady Bison fought hard in each game but the offense and pitching are having a difficult time finding an early rhythm.
With one run being scored in their first game against Gardner-Webb, the Lady bison struggled to get an offensive rhythm going with Gardner-Webb having eleven strikeouts. Senior Al'Asia Davis went 1-4 with two strikeouts and a single to left field. Senior Jasmine Gammons went 2-2, with two singles and one walk. Junior Alex Flynn pitched well, going 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts, one earned run, and one walk.
The Lady Bison found their offense in their second game against Alabama State, however it wasn't enough. Senior Jasmine Gammons went 1-3, with two runs batted in coming in the 2nd inning on a single to left field. The remaining two runs came in the 4th inning on a pitching error and an error by Alabama State's first baseman. Alabama State added two in the fourth and one in the fifth to win the game.
In the third game, Omaha got out to an early lead and never looked back scoring ten runs in the first three innings. Redshirt sophomore Lauren Castellanos had a difficult time on the mound, giving up seven hits, seven earned runs, and four walks in three innings pitched. The Bison only two runs came in the 2nd inning on a double by Alannah Baiyina who went 1-2 before the game being called in the fifth inning.
The offensive struggles continued into the fourth game against Eastern Kentucky. Though limited to just one strikeout, the Lady Bison couldn't connect with the ball driving in only one run off of five hits. What hurt them the worst were errors, committing six of them while giving up ten runs in the first two innings. Sophomore Brooklyn Emory went 2-2 with two singles and driving in the only run for the Bison in the second inning.
The last game was against Akron, who held the Lady Bison scoreless and struck out nine. The only hit in the game came from senior Al'Asia Davis with a single in the first inning. Pitcher Alex Flynn gained her second loss of the season giving up four runs while walking three and striking out one.
NEXT UP: The Lady Bison will try to find their swing this weekend at the Mason Patriot Classic in Fairfax, VA.
