WASHINGTON (April 7, 2023) – Howard University softball handed the North Carolina Central (NCCU) Eagles their first conference loss of the season. After falling 11-3 (f/6) in game one, the Bison bounced back with a 11-7 victory to close out the day.
HOWARD 11, NC CENTRAL 7
HU exploded for 11 runs on 13 hits, led by second-year Bison
Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) going a perfect 3-of-3 with four RBIs in the victory.
The Eagles put two runs on the board in the first inning, but the Bison responded with two runs of their own and tied the contest after one, 2-2.
In the second, the Eagles saw another bases loaded opportunity with two outs and junior Imara Harrell hit a three-run double to center and give NCCU a 5-2 advantage.
The runs continued in the third with North Carolina Central, picking up two more for a 7-2 lead.
That gap was short lived as the Bison scored five runs in the bottom half and tied the contest at seven apiece.
Bottom four, the Bison gained their first lead of the day when Fletcher sent a bomb to right field for an RBI-double, 8-7. Next, it was Fletcher's turn to cross the plate on the following play, thanks to a passed ball that proved the perfect opportunity to steal third and home on a throwing error to pull away, 9-7.
Before closing it out, sophomore
Alyssa Watson (Eastvale, Calif.) delivered a RBI-single to center field, 10-7.
Howard had another one-run inning in the sixth when Fletcher's sac fly to right field brought fellow classmate
Shalon McNeal (Lima, Ohio) home, 11-7.
Sophomore lefty
Mia Gonzales (Atwater, Calif.) earned her seventh win in a reserve role after tossing five innings with three strikeouts.
HOWARD 3, NC CENTRAL 11 (F/6)
HU managed three runs on six hits with six different Bison recording a hit.
Sophomore
Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) was the first Bison to cross home, thanks to an RBI-ground out to short by fellow classmate
Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.), 1-0.
After thwarting the Eagles with a quick three up, three down in the top of the second, Howard brought another Bison across home plate to widen the gap, 2-0.
Itching to get on the board, the Eagles seized their first opportunity in the top of the third.
With bases loaded, Nyla Rodgers scored NCCU's first run on a wild pitch.
With one out and Eagles on second and third, junior Imara Harrell tripled down the left line, bringing in two to the nest for a 3-2 lead. North Carolina Central continued to pull away on the next at-bat, gaining a 4-2 advantage off an error.
With Rodgers approaching the box, the bases were loaded once again. Sending the ball to center field, the height was just out of reach of Howard's centerfielder, resulting in a three-run play.
With two outs, the Bison held off the Eagles in the fifth until an out of the park shot from pinch hitter Morgan Green gave the Eagles a 9-2 lead.
In the bottom of the third, first-year Bison
Maryn Jordan (San Diego) doubled to left field before making her way home off a big hit from senior
Luz Aguilasocho (Grand Terrace, Calif.), closing the deficit, 9-3.
With two Eagles in the diamond, the Bison decided to walk NCCU's Maegan Garrison to load the bases. The decision backfired with the next batter gaining two RBIs, broadening the advantage. The play was the final nail in the coffin as the Eagles closed it out in six innings.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
The Bison return to the diamond tomorrow (April 8) at noon as they finish out the North Carolina Central series at Nats Youth Academy.
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.
