SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Howard University softball team dropped a pair of games on opening day of the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic on the campus of USC Upstate.

GAME 1: Western Carolina 14, Howard 0 (5)

Monica Thompson (0-4) nabbed her fourth start of the season and tossed 4.0 innings in the circle. She faced 30 batters and was credited for 11 hits, 14 runs (13 earned), five walks and one strikeout.

The Bison held the Catamounts to just one run in the first inning. Unfortunately, Western Carolina was able to tack on nine more runs to take a 10-0 lead at the end of the third.

Howard did not get a runner on until the top of the fourth. Milan Poindexter singled through the left side and eventually made it around to third base but the Bison were unable to bring her in.

The Catamounts added four more runs in the bottom half of the fourth.

Tiana Lopez singled to start the fifth inning but was thrown out on a fielder's choice. With two outs, Zaria Hall singled to right center to put Brooklyn Emory in scoring position at second base. Unfortunately, they were left stranded as the game came to a close in five innings due to the run rule.

GAME 2: USC Upstate 14, Howard 0 (5)

Thompson also got the start against USC Upstate but only stayed in the circle for 1.0 innings after recording five hits, five runs and two strikeouts. Pitcher Alexa Walker made her third appearance in relief for the Bison. She threw 3.0 innings, in which she allowed nine hits and nine runs (six earned). She walked four batters and struck out one.

USC Upstate erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the second to stretch its advantage to 13-0.

The sole hit of the game for Howard came from Kamryn Tillman, who singled to the shortstop in the top of the fourth. Next up, Jasmine Gibson walked to put a pair on base but a strikeout ended the scoring opportunity.

Howard prepares for two more games on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Bison will start the day off against Furman at 11 a.m. before taking on Sacred Heart at 5 p.m. in Greenville, S.C.