WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard University softball program will be featured in a nationally televised game on ESPNU for the first time in program history, Saturday to kick off a pivotal four-game series with the Norfolk State University Lady Spartans at the NSU Softball Field. 

Both squads play a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, and game one will be broadcast live on ESPNU. Sunday's game is slated for a noon start. 

Sunday's game one will be televised live on ESPNU. MEAC Hall of Fame Charlie Neal (play-by-play) and former University of Michigan national champion pitcher Jennie Ritter will have the call. 

Norfolk State will broadcast games 2-4 of the series on Spartan Showcase Video Streaming. Live Stats will be available for all four games.

Howard University

Last Time Out Howard dropped their opening MEAC series 3-1 to Delaware State at Nationals Youth Park. 

Before the setback, Howard was riding a five-game win streak and off to their best start in program history. 

Howard batting average (.342) ranks 17th in the nation and leads in the MEAC. Howard's 1.77 doubles per game rank 18th in the nation and first in the MEAC. Howard ranks first in the conference in On Base Percentage (0.417), Scoring (5.77), Shutouts (2), Slugging Percentage (.433), Stolen Base Percentage (1.69). 

The Bison ranks first in 12 different individual categories. Camille Navvaro is leading the nation in the toughest to strikeout. 

The NSU Spartans

NSU (7-11, 0-4 MEAC North) dropped all four games of a tight series at Morgan State last Saturday and Sunday. The Bears bottled up one of the MEAC's top offenses, holding NSU to a total of seven runs in the four games.

Despite the tough going last weekend, NSU still leads all MEAC teams with 10 homers, 130 total hits and 26 stolen bases on the year. The Spartans' pitching staff ranks first in the league with 108 strikeouts and second with a 2.94 ERA.

Among many standouts at the plate, senior catcher Tuli Iosefa leads the MEAC in home runs (three), is second in RBI (13) and total bases (28), and is third in slugging percentage (.622). Her .356 average also ranks among the top 10 in the conference.

Shortstop Jade Dixon (.346) and first baseman Brooke Bond (.306) also check in with batting averages over .300. Bond, outfielder Gabby Vaughan and infielder Denisha Megginson have two home runs apiece.

NSU has also been strong in the circle. Reliever Kirsten Greene (1.85) and starter Alexis Robinson (2.69) rank second and fifth, respectively, among MEAC pitchers in ERA. Cam Andersen is second in the conference with 35 strikeouts.

Series: 30th Meeting

NSU leads 10-20

Last Series: Howard def. NSU 2-1 4/27-28/2019

Howard University Softball team came out on top on Saturday afternoon after defeating No. 1 ranked Norfolk State at NSU Softball Field. After taking the doubleheader, the Bison dropped the final game on Sunday. This is the first series win against Norfolk State since 2012.

UP NEXT

Howard will face the Longwood Lancer in Farmville, Va. for a midweek non-conference game.