WASHINGTON (February 15, 2018) – Coach Lauren McCoy and the Howard University Softball team return to the diamond in Greensboro, N.C., for the annual Aggie Invitational, hosted by North Carolina A&T State (NCAT). HU plays four games in three days, including two meetings with the Aggies.
 
TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
 
HOWARD
 
After an opening weekend where the squad had to adjust their schedule, Coach McCoy and the Bison look to get into the win column for the first time this season. Freshmen Trinity Gibbs and Breanna Robinson spearhead the Bison attack, hitting .444 (4-of-9) apiece. Sophomore Kamyrn Tillman seeks to maintain her strong start, batting .333 (4-of-12) from the plate.
 
CLEVELAND STATE
 
Before meeting the Bison, Cleveland State (CSU) opens the tournament with Maryland Eastern Shore Friday (Feb. 16) at 9:30 a.m. CSU (3-2) started the season winning three out of five in their home tourney. Sophomore Macy Kaisk was named Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week after hitting .538 (7-of-13) with six RBIs, three runs, two doubles, and two homers.
 
MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
 
After facing the Vikings Friday, Maryland Eastern Shore square off against the Bison Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Despite being projected to finish last in the conference's northern division, the Hawks had two student-athletes receive preseason honors: seniors Samantha Casarez and Adrienne Guerra. Casarez was selected to the All-MEAC First Team while Guerra took two spots on the second team (pitcher and utility).
 
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE
 
Like the Bison, NCAT (0-4) seeks its first win of the season after going winless at the Charleston Southern Invitational. North Carolina A&T State was predicted to finish third in the league's southern division after receiving one first-place vote. Junior Zadaisha Waddell was named to the preseason team twice as a pitcher (second team) and utility (first team).
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
Howard went winless (0-4) in opening weekend.
 
Thursday (Feb. 8), HU opened the season with losses to Southern (SU). SU won the first game in five innings, 10-1, followed by a 9-5 decision in favor of the Jaguars.
 
The next day (Feb. 9), Howard dropped two against Southeastern Louisiana. HU dropped game one, 12-2, then the Lions rolled in game two, 12-1.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
HU returns to the Tar Heel State for a pair of doubleheaders against North Carolina Central (Feb. 23) and Elon (Feb. 24). Friday's twinbill starts 2 p.m. while Saturday's showdown begins 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.