HAMPTON, Va. (March 23, 2018) – Coach Lauren McCoy and the Howard University Softball team erased a six-run deficit to knock off rival Hampton in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener.
 
With the victory, HU (3-21, 1-0 MEAC) broke its 15-game slid while stopping the Lady Pirates' five-game stranglehold in the series.
 
Howard produced seven runs on seven hits with six Bison manufacturing a hit. Senior Brooklyn Emory and freshman Breanna Robinson led the comeback, driving in two runs apiece.
 
After taking an early 2-0 advantage, the Lady Pirates added to their lead with four runs in the second, 6-0.
 
Down, but not out, the Bison fought their way back into the game.
 
Freshman Trinity Gibbs put HU on the board with a RBI-fielder's choice, 6-1, followed by a pair of RBI-singles from fellow classmates Jocelyn Avera and Alyssa Lavine, 6-3.
 
HU continued the third-inning rally with a two-run single to left center by Robinson, slicing the margin down to one, 6-5.
 
Moments later, Emory delivered a two-run double to right center and drove in the go-ahead run, 7-6, that would eventually propel Howard to victory.
 
Howard generated seven runs on five hits in the third inning while capitalizing on two Hampton errors.
 
Despite the tough start, redshirt junior Mackenzi Steele settled down after the second inning. The Virginia native earned her second win of the year by tossing a shutout in the final five innings.
 
Hampton (11-14, 2-2 MEAC) recorded six runs on 12 hits, led by sophomore Cassidy Blackwell going 3-of-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored in the loss.
 
Due to incoming bad weather, Saturday's doubleheader starts 11:30 a.m. at Lady Pirate Softball Stadium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.