WASHINGTON (FEB 23, 2023) - After a 2-2 performance at the NFCA D1 Leadoff Classic, the Howard University softball team will travel to Charlottesville, Va., for the Cavalier Classic.
 
They open the weekend against Longwood Friday (Feb. 24) at 3 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can follow the action with live stats.
 
The game versus Virginia will be streamed live on ACC Network.
 
WEEKEND PREVIEW
 
HOWARD
 
Howard is fresh off the heels of its season-opening tournament in Clearwater, Fla., where they went 2-2 against #13/#12 Tennessee, Southern, Prairie View and Louisville.
 
Freshman outfielder Maryn Jordan (San Diego) took home Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Freshman of the Week honors after a strong performance in the tournament. She finished the weekend batting .455 with five hits, three runs, and four RBIs.
 
Her teammate sophomore infielder Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) received an honorable mention for her 3-of-4 hitting performance, including a 2-of-2 day against Southern University.
 
LONGWOOD
 
Longwood comes into this game 4-5 after competing in the Getterman Classic against #1 Oklahoma, Army, Stephen F. Austin and Baylor.
 
They got their first win of the season in a historic game against then #4-ranked Florida State, their highest-ranked win in program history. Freshman pitcher/infielder Maggie Chapin (Shawnee, Kan.) won her first start in her career, throwing a no-hitter through four innings and striking out four batters.
 
Sophomore infielder Jaden Pone (Hope Mills, N.C.) was recognized as Big South Player of the Week after batting in three runners, scoring three runs, and hitting a .588 batting average during the team's last tournament.
 
ST. JOHNS
 
St. Johns is returning from the Red & Black Showcase, where they went 0-5 against #13 Georgia, #19 Stanford and Charlotte.
 
Sophomore utility London Jarrad (Carlsbad, Calif.) received a Big East conference honor roll selection after hitting two home runs and five RBIs against Georgia Monday (Feb. 20).
 
MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
 
The Hawks opened their season last weekend at the Spartan Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. They went 1-3 against George Mason, Holy Cross, University of South Carolina – Upstate (USC-Upstate) and South Carolina State.
 
Freshman outfielder/infielder Jaycee Holt (Birchwood, Tenn.) was named MEAC Rookie of the Week for her six hits, two runs, two RBIs and .500 batting average during the weekend's action.
 
Last season, the Hawks finished their season 18-33 (13-8 MEAC) and went 1-2 when facing Howard.
 
VIRGINIA
 
The Cavaliers have started their season 6-4 after going 1-3 in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge this past weekend where they battled #23 Maryland and Minnesota.
 
Freshman pitcher Eden Bigham (Rustburg, Va.) ended the Cavaliers' first week with ACC Pitcher of the Week honors for her performance during their previous tournament. She allowed no runs and struck out 16 batters through 11 innings, earning two saves throughout the weekend.
 
GEORGE WASHINGTON
 
George Washington sits at 4-3 after a 2-2 performance at the Carolina Classic last weekend where they competed against East Tennessee State, South Carolina, Western Kentucky and Delaware.
 
They started their 2023 campaign with a 2-1 performance in the Upstate Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. They faced Bucknell and Maine, with a second game against Bucknell and a game against USC-Upstate being canceled due to inclement weather.
 
NEXT TIME OUT
 
The Bison will play Bowie State in a doubleheader Tuesday (Feb. 28) at the Nationals Youth Academy in D.C., with the games scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.