WASHINGTON (April 21, 2018) – Coach
Lauren McCoy and the Howard University Softball team earned a Saturday doubleheader split with Delaware State (DSU) at Nationals Youth Academy.
HU (5-35, 3-10 MEAC) won game one, thanks to a complete-game shutout from redshirt junior
Mackenzi Steele, 2-0, but fell in the nightcap, 6-1.
Before game one, Coach McCoy addressed the crowd as Saturday was not only Senior Day, but Cancer Awareness Day too. Howard welcomed all cancer survivors and supporters to the field as the program recognized their courage and bravery in fighting the disease.
Steele's father, who's been battling the disease and is now in remission, threw out the first pitch. Despite dealing with all that comes with fighting cancer, Mr. Steele, a coach, father, and man of faith, has managed to make it to all of the team's games, both far & away.
Inspired by her father's fearlessness, the Virginia product propelled HU to a game one victory as she allowed only five scattered hits while striking out two Hornets.
Offensively, Howard manufactured two runs on six hits. Sophomore
Kamryn Tillman produced a multi-hit performance in game one, going 2-or-3 with a run scored.
After three scoreless innings, HU had bases loaded with no outs in the fourth and senior
Brooklyn Emory put Howard on the board first with a RBI-hit by pitch, 1-0.
Next at bat, newcomer
Kaylen Samuel delivered a RBI-single to right field to bring home Tillman, 2-0.
Despite limited offense, the Bison did enough as Steele kept DSU from scoring.
In the nightcap, Delaware State's bats came alive as they recorded six runs on 11 hits.
For HU, they registered a run on five hits. Freshman
Trinity Gibbs went 2-of-3 with a RBI in the loss.
DSU (10-26, 8-5 MEAC) took an early 1-0 advantage after one until they scored four times in the second and took a commanding 5-0 lead.
Delaware State scored another run in the third, 6-0, but HU refused to go away.
Bottom four, Gibbs produced a RBI-double to right center to bring home Tillman, 6-1.
After today's doubleheader, Coach McCoy and the Bison recognized Emory and fellow classmate
Reagan Coss for their hard work and dedication to the program and athletics.
Emory played all four years for HU while Coss, who missed the entire season due to injury, transferred in after two seasons at Mississippi Valley State.
The rubber match between Howard and Delaware State is scheduled for Sunday (April 22) at noon.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.