SALISBURY, Md. (April 23, 2023) - It was Run-Rule Sunday in Salisbury with the Howard University softball team dominating Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). HU resumed Game Two from yesterday, defeating the Hawks in five innings, 14-4, followed by an 11-2 victory in six frames.
 
With their victories, the Bison secured its first conference season sweep of the year. Additionally, over the three-game span, HU tallied 34 runs on 43 hits, a program record in a league series.
 
HOWARD 14, UMES 4 (f/5)
 
Before yesterday's contest was paused due to weather, HU pounded out four runs on nine hits.
 
The Howard offense exploded with nine runs in the fourth, highlighted by a pair of two-run singles by sophomore Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Player of the Year Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.), 13-3.
 
The Bison pinned one final nail in the coffin in the top of the fifth for a 14-3 advantage.
 
The Hawks managed one final run in the fifth before falling 14-4.
 
Vasquez finished the contest going a perfect 4-of-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs, including her 100^th career hit.
 
HOWARD 11, UMES 2 (f/6)
 
HU's momentum continued into series finale, manufacturing 11 runs on 12 hits. Dennis batted 3-of-4 with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored in the win.
 
Dennis opened the scoring with an RBI-double to right center, but the Hawks were a bit more aggressive this go round and tied the game after one, 1-1.
 
Rookie Amelia Weber (Montclair, Calif.) got the starting nod and made light work of the Hawks with a quick three up, three down in both the second and third innings.
 
Scoring was sparked in the fourth with DMV native Jade Greene (Upper Marlboro, Md.) single down the right line, bringing home newcomer Makaela Digaudio (Corona, Calif.) and second-year Bison Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.), 3-1.
 
Same inning, first-year Bison Kelsie Jarrett (Nashville, Tenn.) caught herself in a run down between the catcher and third baseman. With the space closing around her, Jarrett made a break for it when the catcher missed the throw, giving Jarrett time to get a hand on the base before the tag, 4-1.
 
The Hawks narrowed the gap, 4-2, off an error at first. In the top of the fifth, the Bison mirrored the play, pulling away, 6-2, on an error at first.
 
The Bison lit up the scoreboard in the sixth with five runs, capped off by a pair of RBI-doubles from Dennis and Vasquez, 11-2.
 
HU was just as dominate on the defensive end, opening the bottom of the sixth with a huge double play and keeping the Hawks in place.
 
Weber tossed a complete-game, going six innings while allowing only two runs (one earned). The California product secured her sixth win of the season.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
The Bison return to the diamond Wednesday, April 26 at 2 p.m., as they travel crosstown to face George Washington.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.


Derek W. Bryant, Howard Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, contributed to this story.