NORFOLK, Va. (May 11, 2022) – Freshman Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.) delivered a walk-off three-run homer in the eighth to lift the Howard University softball team over Norfolk State (NSU), 11-8, in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament opening round.
 
Bottom eight with the score tied, 8-8, All-MEAC honoree senior Camille Navarro (Los Angeles) started the Bison rally with a triple to right center. After a walk from newcomer Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.), Vasquez powered a three-run shot to dead center and gave Howard a vital win over Norfolk State.
 
Offensively, HU recorded 11 runs on 14 hits with five Bison registering multi-hit performances. Vasquez batted 3-of-5 with six RBIs (career-best) and pair of runs scored in the win.
 
After NSU took an early 1-0 advantage, HU exploded for five runs in the first, highlighted by a three-run blast from All-MEAC First Team selection senior Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.), 5-1.
 
Norfolk State gradually chipped away at the deficit with runs in the second and third, 5-3.
 
Top five, NSU regained the upper hand with a four-run inning, 7-5, followed by another run in the sixth to extend the margin, 8-5, but the Bison refused to go away.
 
HU scored three times in the sixth, capped off by Vasquez's two-run tying double; thus, forcing eventually extra innings.
 
Out the bullpen, senior Sydney Hixenbaugh (Millstone, N.J.) tossed 3.2 innings in the victory.
 
With the victory, HU faces top-seeded Morgan State Thursday (May 12) at 3 p.m.
 
NSU (32-22) falls in the loser's bracket where they will face No. 4 Maryland Eastern Shore in an elimination game.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.