WASHINGTON (March 18, 2022) – Howard University graduate pitcher Analise De La Roca (San Pedro, Calif.) tossed a no-hitter in the game two victory over Norfolk State (NSU), 9-1, securing a split on the first day of league play. HU dropped the first contest, 12-5.
 
GAME TWO (HOWARD 9, NORFOLK STATE 1 [F/5])
 
Despite allowing six walks, the California native kept NSU off balance throughout. De La Roca threw five innings while striking out three Spartans in the win.
 
Norfolk State got on the board first after walking in a run, 1-0, but Howard responded in the bottom half with a two-run blast by rookie Victoria Brown (Carson, Calif.) and took the lead after one, 2-0.
 
Bottom three, Howard scored twice and extended the lead, 4-1.
 
After getting another run in the fourth, 5-1, HU ended the contest in five frames with a four-run inning, capped off by a two-run shot over the centerfield fence by newcomer Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.), 9-1.
 
At the plate, Brown and Vasquez combined for six RBIs in the win.
 
GAME ONE (HOWARD 5, NORFOLK STATE 12)
 
Howard recorded five runs on eight hits, led by freshman Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) going 2-of-3 with a three-run triple.
 
Senior Camille Navarro (Los Angeles) scored on a fielder's choice and put the Bison ahead after one, 1-0.
 
NSU took the lead in the next frame, 2-1, but Howard answered with a four-run inning, highlighted by Ricks' three-run triple, 5-2.
 
Norfolk State fought back, scoring twice in the fourth while slicing the margin down to one, 5-4.
 
NSU reclaimed the upper hand in the fifth, 6-5, and ballooned the deficit to four after scoring three times in the sixth inning, 9-5.
 
In their final at-bat, the Spartans added three insurance runs, capped off by a three-run double from Tuli Iosefa, 12-5.
 
Navarro, Ricks and freshman Payton Quinonez (Tulare, Calif.) each produced multi hits in the loss.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Saturday (March 19), Howard faces Norfolk State in the rubber match. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Washington Nationals Youth Academy in southeast D.C.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.