ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (May 10, 2019) – First-year head coach Tori Tyson and the Howard University Softball team saw its thrilling 2019 campaign come to an end after an 8-5 loss at the hands of Florida A&M (FAMU) at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships.
 
In only her first season, Coach Tyson has revitalized the program with several victories throughout the year. HU reached the postseason for the first time since 2015 while grabbing their first tourney win in eight seasons (2011). Additionally, the Bison's 19 victories are the most since 2012.
 
HU (19-29) manufactured five runs on seven hits, led by Jackie Jones (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Florida A&M neutralized reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.) with three walks, but the freshman went 2-for-2, including a two-run double in the fifth.
 
FAMU pounced early, scoring four unearned runs in the first, 4-0.
 
Howard answered with a run in the second frame, 4-1, but the Rattlers put up another four runs to extend their lead, 8-1.
 
Down, but not out, HU clawed their way back into the contest with a pair of runs in the third, 8-3.
 
Top five, Dennis drove in Jones and fellow classmate Rajaa Wilcox (Drexel Hill, Pa.) to slice the margin down to three, 8-5.
 
Florida A&M advanced to the MEAC title game where they will face rival Bethune-Cookman.
 
HU saw redshirt senior Mackenzi Steele (Winchester, Va.) play her final game for the Bison, who won 13^th games in her final season.
 
For the program's future, Coach Tyson returns All-MEAC honorees Dennis, Camille Navarro (Los Angeles) and Xzarria Simmons (Escondido, Calif.), along with the league's top-hitting attack.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.