ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- The Howard University Bison showed out in MEAC conference action defeat South Carolina State University Lady Bulldogs 13-0 (5) and North Carolina A&T State University 3-2 (11) during the 2021 MEAC Softball Round-up at the Orangeburg Park Sports Complex.
The Bison improved to 14-12 and 7-8 in MEAC.
GAME 1 | Howard 13 - South Carolina State 0 (5)
Howard's offense jumped out early and never relented, raking up 13 runs in four innings to run-rule the Lady Bulldogs in five innings.
Camille Navarro got the ruckus started recording a triple to center field. Navarro was thrown out at home on Ayana Sallee's fielder choice to third base. Kalita Dennis singled up the middle and later scored on a Natalie Davila two-RBI triple down the right-field line, plating Sallee and Dennis to take an early 2-0 lead. Senior Trinity Gibbs platted Davila on a sacrifice bunt to the shortstop to extend the lead, 3-0.
In the top of the second, Sallee recorded Howard's third triple of the game to score Navarro to push the lead, 4-0.
Howard exploded for eight runs in the top of the third inning. The Bison recorded a triple, a double, and twice advanced to third on the throw on single hits to left field. Davila scored twice in the inning, Gibbs recorded three RBIs. 12 Bison came to bat in the inning. The eight runs were the most runs platted in an inning since Howard defeated SCSU, recording eight runs in the bottom of the second inning, March 11, 2019.
The Bison added another run in the top of the fourth inning to close the scoring at 13. The most since defeating the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 13-5 (5) April 23, 2019.
Sydney Hixenbaugh got the nod in the circle for Howard. Hixenbaugh recorded her second win of the season, scattered four hits through four innings. The defense played outstanding behind her playing. No Bulldogs got to second base.
Six Bison recorded two hits. Gibbs recorded four RBIs and scored once. Davila recorded two RBIs and scored three times. Howard recorded four triples for a school record in a single game.
GAME 2 | Howard 3 - North Carolina A&T 2 (11)
Kiana Carr threw a school record of 12 strikeouts and held the Lady Aggies hitless through ten innings before NCAT sent a one-out pitch 201 feet over the left-center field wall to break the scoring drought, to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the tenth inning. Howard answered back, scoring a run on a Ray Thomas RBI ground out to the shortstop, platting Nevaeh Castruita to cut the lead 2-1. With two, outs the Lady Aggies threw a wild pitch to the backstop that allowed Sydni Jones to tie the game at 2. The next batter flew out to center field that sent the game to the 11th inning.
In the top of the 11th, the Lady Aggies saw five pitches and popped up to 3b (bunt), grounded out to the pitcher, and flew out to center field, giving the Bison a chance to walk away with the victory.
Shayna Swanson went to second for the Bison in the bottom of the 11th. NCAT walked Camille Navarro, and Ayana Sallee hit a ground ball to third base. Aggies' third baseman stepped on the third-base bag eliminating Swanson from the base paths and keeping runners at first and second with one out.
History quickly repeated itself as Kalita Dennis hit a ground ball to the third baseman. Once again, she stepped on the bag, eliminating the lead runner, but keeping runners on first and second with two outs.
Sallee and Dennis both advanced on a wild pitch to put runners at third and second. Natalie Davila walked to load the bases, leading to the wild pitch that allowed Sallee to score the winning run.
No runner from either team reached second base until the ninth inning.
Sallee was the lone Bison to record two hits. Howard scattered seven hits and left four runners on base.
By The Numbers:
Carr pitched two complete games over the weekend, throwing 18 innings, gave up three runs and three hits, walked one batter, and struck out 20 batters. Leads MEAC with nine wins and 107 strikeouts.
Navarro went 6-of-11 in three games, recorded two runs, an RBI, a triple, and walked twice. Navarro has a hit in nine straight games, she's recorded at least one hit in 25-of-26 games. Navaro also reached base in 27 straight games dating back to last season.
Sallee went 6-of-11 in three games, recorded three runs, two RBIs, a double, and a triple, knocked in the winning run versus North Carolina Central, and scored the winning run versus in N.C. A&T.
Up Next:
Howard will travel to Coppin State University to close out the regular season for a pair of 1 pm doubleheaders on April 26 and April 28.
