WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A season opener that seems like it would never start after three-postponements due to wintery weather.

The first game since Mar. 12, 2020, due to covid-19,  a game delayed as both teams cleared snow and ice from the field, finally took place on a frigid afternoon at the Nationals Youth Academy. In their first game of the 2021 season, The Howard University Bison fell to the Army Black Knights in a 16-4 (5) contest. 

Howard (0-1, overall) Sydney Hixenbaugh got the nod in the circle pitched two innings, giving up three runs on four hits and throwing a wild pitch. 

The Golden Knights (1-0, overall) jumped out first, recording the first run of the season of a single to right field, taking an early 1-0 lead. 

Army's Alicyn Grete started in the circle for the Golden Knights, struck out nine in four innings of work, allowing one hit. 

Army took advantage of gusty winds to centerfield, breaking the game wide open with a three-run blast over the right-center field wall to take a 5-0 advantage in the top of the third inning. 

The Black Knights added seven more runs in the top of the fourth to extend the lead, 12-0. 

Howard recorded their first runs of the season; Howard's  Ayana Salle was walked after an Army pitching change in the bottom of the fourth. Kalita Dennis took advantage by sending a single through the left side and then advancing on a passed ball, putting runners in scoring position.  Savanna Rainey recorder her first RBI of the season, sending a screamer up the left side to score Salle; Trinity Gibbs walked scored Dennis. Te'la Beard recorded an RBI single to the shortstop, and then a hiccup allowed a second runner to score to cut the lead 12-4. 

Army capped the scoring, adding four in top of the fifth. 

Hixenbaugh recorded the loss; Kianna Carr pitched 1.2 innings allowing eight earn runs on five hits. 

Howard will return to action for a double-header mid-week tilt versus Bowie State, Wed. Feb. 24 first-pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.