WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard University softball team dropped an 11-4 decision to Valparaiso on the final day of the Aggie Invitational on Sunday morning.

With the loss, the Bison are 0-4 on the season, while the Crusaders improve to 4-0.

Monica Thompson (0-2) tossed the first complete game of her career. She tallied five strikeouts but allowed 15 hits and 11 runs, nine of which were earned.

Valpo got off to a hot start as it sent up eight batters in the top of the first, who had four runs to show for their efforts. The hits kept coming in the second as the Crusaders tacked on three more runs to extend the lead to 7-0.

Alannah Baiyina helped Howard get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth when her bunt single allowed Zaria Hall to scamper in from third.

The Crusaders cut HU's comeback hopes short in the seventh as they loaded the bases with no one out. A three-run double cleared the bases and increased the deficit to 11-1 for Howard.

Jasmine Gibson and Deja Henderson got on base thanks to a pair of singles in the bottom of the seventh. A wild pitch brought Gibson in and Reagan Coss earned an RBI on a grounder that plated Henderson. Tiana Lopez came home on a RBI single by Chloe Lyon to close the three-run inning and post the final margin, 11-4.

Through four games, Imani Ballard leads the team with a .700 batting average, seven hits, three RBI, two doubles and a home run.

Howard will take part in the two-day Buffalo Wild Wings Classic in Spartanburg, S.C., beginning on Friday, Feb. 24. The Bison will face Western Carolina, USC Upstate, Furman and Sacred Heart.