GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Howard University softball team dropped to 0-8 on the season after falling to Furman, 8-0 (5), and Sacred Heart, 12-1, on Saturday to close out the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic.
GAME 1: Furman 8, Howard 0 (5)
Alexa Walker was tagged with her first loss of the season after spending 3.0 innings in the circle for the Bison. She took on 19 batters and gave up six runs (three earned) on five hits. She also picked up two walks and two strikeouts.
Pitcher Monica Thompson entered in relief but only had a chance to toss 1.0 innings. She saw eight batters but only allowed one hit and two runs (one earned).
After a scoreless first inning, the Paladins' bats got hot for an 8-0 lead by the end of the fourth.
For the second straight game, Kamryn Tillman tallied the only hit of the game for Howard. In the top of the fifth, she singled to left field after Jasmine Gibson walked. With two on and two outs, a pop up end HU's hopes of getting on the board.
GAME 2: Sacred Heart 12, Howard 1
For the second straight game, pitcher Alexa Walker (0-2) earned the start for Howard. She spent 3.0 innings in the circle and let in five runs (three earned) on seven hits.
After replacing Walker, Monica Thompson closed out the final 4.0 innings by allowing seven hits and seven runs (four earned).
Howard scored first in the bottom half of the opening inning. Noel Merritt delivered a lead-off single to get the offense going. Merritt moved over to second base after Milan Poindexter was hit by a pitch. Next up, Tiana Lopez got nipped by pitch to load the bases for the Bison. With two outs, Kamryn Tillman showed patience and earned a walk to plate Merritt and take a 1-0 edge.
SHU quickly put the game out of reach as it had a 12-1 advantage by the seventh inning.
Tillman singled to center field in the fourth and looped a double in the seventh but got caught up in a double play on both occasions. It was her second multi-hit game of the season.
Howard will host Drexel on Monday, Feb. 27 for it home opener at the Nationals Youth Academy. The doubleheader is schedule for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
