DURHAM, N.C. (March 6, 2020) – Howard University softball team opened the Duke Invitational, hosted by the Blue Devils, with a pair of losses against Gardner-Webb (GWU). HU dropped game one in five, 1-9, and 6-12 in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
Howard produced four hits in the morning session, led by second-year slugger
Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.) drilling a solo shot to left center, 1-0.
HU grabbed the upper hand early, 1-0, but the Runnin' Bulldogs scored two unearned runs in the second to take the lead, 1-2.
GWU capitalized on a pair of errors in the fourth, tallying three more unearned runs while extending their advantage to four, 1-5.
Next inning saw Gardner-Webb end the contest in five, thanks to three scores, including a game-ending RBI-single from Trinity Sterrett, 1-9.
D.C. native
Raye Thomas tossed four innings with no earned runs in a losing effort.
GAME TWO
HU found its rhythm in the rematch, registering six runs on eight hits. Sophomore
Xzarria Simmons (Escondido, Calif.) led the Bison attack, going 2-of-4 with two runs scored and a walk.
GWU's Autumn Owen delivered a three-run blast down the right field line and put the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead after one, 0-3, but the Bison fought back.
Bottom two, newcomer
Luz Aguilasocho (Grand Terrace, Calif.) put HU on the board with an RBI-double to left center, scoring junior
Trinity Gibbs (Kissimmee, Fla.), 1-3.
Next inning, Aguilasocho and fellow classmates
Te'La Beard (Bakersfield, Calif.) and
Taylor Ferguson (Elk Grove, Calif.) each drove in a run and gave the Bison 4-3 advantage.
Howard added a pair of runs in the fourth, thanks to Ferguson's sac fly and a fielder's choice scoring
Ayana Sallee (Chesapeake, Va.), 6-3.
After a scoreless fifth, Gardner-Webb responded with an eight-run six inning and reclaimed the lead, 6-11. GWU tallied an insurance run in the seven to down HU, 6-12.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday (March 7), the Bison take on Kent State at 9:30 a.m., followed by a noon start time against Fordham. Both games will be shown on ACC Network Extra.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.