DURHAM, N.C. (March 7, 2020) – Howard University softball team ended the weekend with setbacks at the Duke Invitational, hosted by the Blue Devils. HU fell to Kent State (KSU), 2-6, and 7-12 against Fordham in game two. With the losses, Bison went 0-4 on the weekend.
GAME ONE
The first inning saw HU get on the board first, thanks to a double steal call scoring second-year Bison
Camille Navarro (Los Angeles), but the Golden Flashes answered with a pair of runs in the bottom portion, 1-2.
KSU extended its advantage with three more runs in the fourth, 1-5, but freshman
Te'La Beard (Bakersfield, Calif.) delivered an RBI-single to score
Nevaeh Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) and close the gap to three, 2-5.
Kent State's Madyson Cole added an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI-single to put the contest out-of-reach, 2-6.
Beard, sophomore
Ayana Sallee (Chesapeake, Va.) and freshman
Taylor Ferguson (Elk Grove, Calif.) each registered a hit in the loss.
GAME TWO
HU found its rhythm in the nightcap, registering seven runs on 11 hits. Navarro fell just a homer short of completing the cycle, going 3-of-5 with two RBIs, a double and a triple.
Fordham's Madie Aughinbaugh blasted a three-run shot down the left field line and put the Rams ahead, 0-3, but the Bison responded with four runs of their own, highlighted by RBI-singles from Ferguson and junior
Breanna Robinson (Buena Park, Calif.), 4-3.
Top three saw Fordham reclaim the upper hand after two unearned runs, 4-5, but Navarro's RBI-double to center field tied the contest after three innings of play, 5-5.
Fordham regained the lead with three scores in the fourth, 5-8, but HU refused to go away.
Navarro drove in Ferguson and cut the margin down to two after five, 6-8, then sophomore slugger
Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.) hammered a solo shot to left field and put the Bison in striking distance, 7-8.
Fordham withstood the Bison's late charge and ended the comeback bid, tallying four runs on five hits in the seventh, 7-12.
Newcomer
Luz Aguilasocho (Grand Terrace, Calif.) had an outstanding game despite the loss, batting 3-of-4 with a run scored.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
On March 12, HU hosts Saint Peter's in a Thursday doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at the Nationals Youth Academy.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.