GREENSBORO, N.C. (February 12, 2022) – Howard University softball team dropped a pair of contests on opening day in Greensboro, N.C. HU fell to Robert Morris (RMU) in the morning, 5-3, and then lost to North Carolina A&T State (NCAT) in the nightcap, 7-6.
GAME ONE (Howard 3, Robert Morris 5)
Bottom three, HU got on the board first after a sac fly from senior
Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.), 1-0, followed by a two-run single from newcomer
Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.), 3-0.
Top five, RMU scored twice and cut the deficit to one after five innings of play, 3-2.
Next inning, Robert Morris tallied three runs and took the lead, 5-3. Howard had a chance to tie in the sixth, but were unable to capitalize.
Overall, the Bison had five scattered hits.
In the circle, senior
Tracy Mosley (Jonesboro, Ga.) tossed 4.1 innings while striking out three Colonials in the loss.
GAME TWO (Howard 6, NCAT 7)
HU produced 13 hits, led by freshman
Malika Jakana (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) going 3-of-4 with a pair of RBIs.
Howard scored four times in the opening frame, followed by a RBI-double from Vasquez down the leftfield line in the second, 5-0.
After scoring a run in the bottom second, NCAT registered three runs in the third and closed the gap to one after three innings, 5-4.
Top four, Jakana extended the lead after a RBI-single drove in Vasquez, 6-4, but the Aggies answered with a run of their own in the bottom half, 6-5.
In the final at-bat, North Carolina A&T State's Alyxx Estrada delivered the game-winning two-run single to down HU, 7-6.
Vasquez, newcomer
Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year
Camille Navarro (Los Angeles) each had two hits in the loss.
Graduate pitcher
Analise De La Roca (San Pedro, Calif.) made her Bison debut, throwing six innings in a no decision.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Howard squares off against RMU and NCAT again Sunday (Feb. 13).
HU takes on the Colonials at 11 a.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m., start time against the Aggies.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.