WASHINGTON (May 7, 2019) – No. 2 Howard University softball takes on the No. 3 North Carolina Central (NCCU) in the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships, held at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Fla., hosted by Bethune-Cookman. First-pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
Fans can follow all the action at www.MEACSports.com.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
On April 30, the Bison (8-7 MEAC, 16-27 overall) split their recent makeup doubleheader against Drexel. Howard took an early lead in game one, winning 5-2. Redshirt senior Mackenzi Steele (Winchester, Va.) earned the victory, throwing four shutout innings out of the bullpen.
 
Drexel did the opposite and started strong in game two, limiting the Bison to only two runs. Howard loss 2-5 in game two.
 
BISON REPORT
 
In the conference, Howard has three Bison top 10 in batting average. Camille Navarro (Los Angeles), Xzarria Simmons (Escondido, Calif.) and Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.) are hitting over .400 apiece. Dennis averages .410 with 37 runs, 30 RBIs, 12 doubles and six home runs. Simmons bats .411 and responsible for 21 RBIs, 15 runs and 10 doubles. Navarro leads the Bison with a .412 batting average, along with 32 RBIs, 30 runs and 15 doubles. These three Bison are each having a great season, but the fact that they are all freshmen, makes it a bit more fascinating.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
 
Through 45 games this year, the Eagles are 21-24 (10-5 MEAC). Currently, they have won four-in-a-row, including a big program victory over No. 24 North Carolina, 3-1. In their last 10 meetings against Howard, the Bison are 4-6 against the Eagles; however, HU defeated NCCU, 4-3, in their lone meeting back in February at the Southern Softball Challenge in Baton Rouge, La.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
With a victory, HU meets the winner between No. 1 Bethune-Cookman (B-CU) and No. 4 Coppin State (CSU) Thursday, May 9 at 3 p.m.
 
A loss sends Howard to the loser's bracket where they will square off against the loser between B-CU and CSU. First-pitch is scheduled for Thursday at noon.
 
To view the complete 2019 MEAC Softball Championship bracket, please click here.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.