Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3
Norfolk, VA.- Howard University Softball team came out on top on Saturday afternoon after defeating No. 1 ranked Norfolk State at NSU Softball Field. After taking the doubleheader, the Bison dropped the final game on Sunday. This is the first series win against Norfolk State since 2012.

"I am in tears right now," exclaimed head softball coach Tori Tyson. "This team has made me so proud."

The Bison started slow against the Spartans in game one but by the sixth inning winner was clear. Trinity Gibbs'  two-run double to center field gave Breanna Robinson time to get to third with Xzarria Simmons and Camille Navarro crossing the dish. Pinch hitter Kaylen Samuel's single to the right advanced Jackie Jones to second. Jones took advantage of a throwing error to go to third base. Gibbs came behind her scoring on a fielding error by right field. Robinson also scored on the play to put the Bison up 4-1.

The Spartans answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth but with no additional scores in the seventh inning, Howard won, 4-2.

In game two, Kamryn Tillman opened the board for the bison in the third inning with a homerun to center field. Simmons continued to display success, singling up the middle to bring Kalita Dennis in.

The Bison picked up a little more action in the fourth with Tillman hitting the ball up the middle and Gibbs scoring.

Not to be outdone the Spartans responded in the fifth with Hunter Halford flying out to left field and Kylee Lopez scoring.

Howard caught a last wave of momentum in the seventh inning when Dennis stole third based and scored on an error by Tuli Iosefa. The Bison were down 4-3 but the walk and error advanced Camille Navarro to second. Gibbs went up to bat and doubled to left center bringing home Navarro. Gibbs scored after Jackie Jones was caught stealing.

Howard earned a 6-5 victory with three runs in the seventh inning of game two. Senior pitcher Mackenzi Steele had nine strikeouts in seven innings, allowing six hits and five runs, four earned.

The final game of the series was a defensive duel between the two teams. Howard's Tracy Moseley pitched six innings, allowing seven hits and no runs. Both sides were scoreless until the seventh inning. At the top of the inning, Steele came in as the pitcher for the Bison. In the bottom of the inning, Spartans sophomore Tuli Iosefa homered to left field to give Norfolk a 1-0 victory. With the win the Spartans clinched the MEAC Northern Division.

"Tracy and Mackenzi have stayed the course. We are seeing Mack at her best and I told her this team will go as far as you take them," stated Tyson.

The Bison finish the conference regular season 8-7 in MEAC play and 15-26 overall. "I know this transition hasn't been easy but my goodness this team has persevered," Tyson said.

Howard will conclude its season on Tuesday with a doubleheader on the road against Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.