NEW ORLEANS (February 8, 2018) – Coach Lauren McCoy and the Howard University Softball team saw their opening weekend altered due to inclement weather. Originally, the Bison were scheduled to compete in the Lion Classic I, but Mother Nature had other plans.
 
As a result, the tourney was cancelled; however, HU managed to organize two doubleheaders against Southern (Feb. 8) and Southeastern (Feb. 9).
 
Due to the foreseeing bad weather in Baton Rouge, Howard and Southern (SU) moved their doubleheader to New Orleans.
 
In Thursday's twinbill, the Bison fell twice to SU. Southern won the first game in five innings, 10-1, followed by a 9-5 decision in favor of the Jaguars.
 
In game two, the Bison recorded six scattered hits while producing five runs. Freshman Trinity Gibbs led the way with a two-run double in the fourth.
 
After two scoreless innings, newcomer Kayle Samuel scored on an error and put the Bison ahead in the third, 1-0. Southern responded in the bottom half with three runs, capped off by a two-run shot from Kiara Suttles, 3-1.
 
Next at-bat, HU reclaimed the lead with a four-run inning and held a 5-3 advantage.
 
After cutting the deficit down to one, 5-4, SU recaptured the upper hand, scoring five times in the bottom six, 9-5.
 
In game one, freshman Breanna Robinson went 2-of-2 and scored Howard's lone run.
 
Southern built a 6-0 advantage until junior Alannah Baiyina delivered a RBI-ground out to short and put the Bison on the board, 6-1.
 
Bottom five, the SU manufactured four runs, highlighted by a two-run game-ending homer from Tiara Scott.
 
Friday (Feb. 9), Howard wraps up its weekend opener against Southeastern. The twinbill starts 1 p.m. (ET) / noon (CT).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.