Norfolk, Va -- The Howard University Bison softball team split today's doubleheader contest versus Norfolk State, Saturday afternoon at NSU softball field, dropping game 1, 9-5 on a walk-off grand slam home run, and winning game two, 4-2. 

GAME 1, L 9-5

Norfolk State rallied in the seventh inning to steal game one, 9-5 on ESPNU, Saturday afternoon at the NSU Softball field. 

Howard falls to 8-6, 1-4 MEAC. Norfolk State improves to 8-11, and 1-4 MEAC. 

Howard got on the board first when Natalie Davilla (Carson, CA) recorded a 2 RBI double to right-center to score Kalita Dennis (El Grove, CA) and Te'la Beard  (Bakersfield, CA) in the top of the first inning, to take an early 2-0 lead. 

Howard's Kiana Carr (5-2) got the nod in the circle, and recorded her second loss of the season, pitched a scoreless, first three innings, when the Spartans took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four runs. 

Norfolk St. continued its momentum into the bottom of the fifth inning when the first three Spartans loaded the bases. The game was halted for 45 minutes while emergency personnel tended to two Bison that collided in foul territory. Carr settled down sitting down the next three batters to escape out the bottom of the fifth down, 3-2. 

The Bison down one in the top of the seventh, Camile Navarro hit a 2 RBI double off the left-centerfield wall to grab the lead 4-3, Dennis added an insurance run on an RBI single through the left side to score Navarro, to take a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. 

With a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Spartan's next two batters flew out to the outfield. With two outs on the board, Norfolk State began their rally, starting with a single up the middle to cut the lead, 5-4. The Bison walked the next three batters, which tied the score, 5-5. Norfolk State's Gabby Vaughn who was hitless before this at-bat to a 2-2 pitch, left center over the wall, for a grand-slam to steal the win from the Bison. 

Dennis and Navarro recorded two hits on four attempts. Navarro and Davila each record two RBIs. 

Carr pitched 6.2 innings giving up 9 earned runs on eight hits. Carr walked a season-high 13 batters while striking out nine Spartans, she threw 200 pitches another season-high. 

GAME 2, W 4-2

Howard scored three runs in the top of the third inning and nifty defense in the back inning propel the Bison for the second conference win of the season after an emotional game one, defeating Norfolk State, 4-2 in game two at the NSU softball field Saturday, evening. 

Howard improved to 9-6, and 2-4 in the MEAC, while Norfolk State falls to 8-12, and 1-5 in the MEAC. 

Howard started out taking a 1-0 lead off a Dennis sacrifice fly to shallow left field, to score Navarro for the first run of the game in the top of the first.

The Spartans answered back in the bottom of the second inning lining an RBI single up the middle to tie the game at one. 

Howard regains the lead in the next inning, plating three Bison, for a 4-1 lead in the top of the third inning. 

In the bottom of the fifth, the defense made some ESPN caliber plays, after giving up an error, the Bison executed a nifty 6-4-3 double play, and then Maxi Harrington was able to knock down a line drive that was a sure single through the left side, and dove to the second base bag for the force out and close out the bottom of the fifth. 

Norfolk St. added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning taking advantage of an errant throw to cap the scoring at 4-2. 

Sidney Hixenbaugh (1-2) recorded her first victory of the season, pitching a full game, giving up two runs, seven hits, walked two, one earned, and struck out two.

News and Notes

After a scary collision in game one, Sydni Jones was rushed to the hospital for evaluation and was released and returned to the team hotel. Jones collided with shortstop Te'La Beard she was evaluated by EMT and the training staff from both Universities and was able to stay with the team. 

Camille Navarro continues to be the unsung hero for the Bison, she is currently sporting a 16 game hitting streak dating back to last season.  In the series, she is batting 3-of-8, recorded 2 RBIs, and scored twice. 

Up Next:

Howard will finish the four-game series versus Norfolk on Sunday for a double-header, the first pitch is slated for noon.