ORANGEBURG, S.C. (April 16, 2023) – South Carolina State (SCSU) scored twice in its final at-bat to down the Howard University softball team, 7-6, at Lady Bulldogs Field.
 
Both squads went scoreless in the first three innings until the Lady Bulldogs tallied five runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run double by Jade Hendricks, 5-0.
 
HU battled back in the next frame with four runs, including a two-run single from sophomore Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.), 5-4.
 
Top six, junior Sydni Jones (Whittier, Calif.) scored on a fielding error and tied the contest at five apiece. Later in the inning, HU executed a double steal where second-year Bison Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.) crossed home and gave Howard its first lead of the game, 6-5.
 
In their final at-bat, Kendricks hit an RBI-single and tied the game, 6-6. Moments later, freshman Taylor Ames-Alexander drove in the go-ahead run on an RBI-double to center, 7-6.
 
Howard had one final chance in the seventh, but Zarria Smith closed the door with three consecutive outs; thus, ending the Bison's comeback bid.
 
HU produced six runs on seven hits, led by freshman Amelia Weber (Montclair, Calif.) going 2-of-4 in the loss. In the circle, sophomore lefty Mia Gonzales (Atwater, Calif.) threw 5.2 innings and struck out three Lady Bulldogs in the loss.
 
For South Carolina State (5-24, 4-9 MEAC), they manufactured seven runs on 10 hits with Kayla Leslie going a perfect 3-of-3 with an RBI and run scored.
 
The next time HU (12-23, 5-9 MEAC) takes the field will be in a nonconference doubleheader at home against Saint Peter's. Howard will face the Peacocks at the Nationals Youth Academy in D.C. Tuesday, April 18, at noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.