WASHINGTON (April 8, 2023) – Howard University softball team dropped Saturday afternoon's series finale against the visiting North Carolina Central Eagles, 11-3 (f/6), at Nationals Youth Academy.
After exploding for 14 runs in Friday's twinbill split, the Bison mustered only three runs on four hits.
The Bison started game three strong with starting pitcher
Amelia Weber (Montclair, N.J.) sitting down the first three NCCU batters, including a pair of strikeouts.
HU capitalized on its first at-bat, scoring twice off sophomore
Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) two-run triple to right field, 2-0.
Top three, the Eagles picked up a run to close the gap after three innings of play, 2-1.
Next frame, NCCU took advantage of two bases-loaded opportunities, tallying nine runs in the inning and taking a 10-2 lead after four.
Bottom four, rookie
Iyanna Fortenberry (Richmond, Va.) pinch ran for D.C. native senior
Raye Thomas where she capitalized on multiple opportunities with her speed. After stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball, the Virginia native scored off a groundout to first from sophomore
Alyssa Watson (Eastvale, Calif.); thus, closing the margin, 10-3.
The fifth inning was a stalemate for both squads, giving the Bison another chance at closing the deficit.
Top six, NCCU brought another Eagle across home plate before HU posting three outs to end the game in six innings, 11-3.
Weber tossed 3.1 innings while striking out a game-high five batters in the loss.
For NCCU (12-23, 10-1 MEAC), they produced 11 runs on eight hits, highlighted by a pair of homers from Maegan Garrison and Takia Nichols.
Up next, the Bison (11-20, 4-6 MEAC) travel back to Baltimore to finish their MEAC series against Coppin State Thursday, April 13 at 3 p.m. The contest was originally scheduled for March 26 but rescheduled due to inclement weather.
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.