ORLANDO, Fla. (February 9, 2024) – Howard University softball erased a 3-0 deficit, but Georgia State (GSU) scored twice in the sixth to down HU, 5-4, in the Black & Gold Classic, hosted by the University of Central Florida.
 
Collectively, Howard manufactured four runs on 11 hits. Graduate outfielder Bianca Worthy (Goodyear, Ariz.) led the Bison attack, going 3-of-4 with an RBI single and stolen base.
 
After three scoreless innings, GSU (1-0) took the early lead, thanks to a two-run single by Bella Morton, 2-0.
 
Next inning, Georgia State's Chloe Nadler delivered an RBI single to center to extend the margin, 3-0.
 
Bottom five, Worthy drove in junior infielder Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) and got HU on the board, 3-1. After third-year Bison Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) scored on a Panther throwing error, 3-2, rookie Merci Hart (Los Angeles) tied the contest, 3-3, with an RBI single.
 
GSU drove in two unearned runs to recapture the lead top six, 5-3, but Howard cut into the deficit after newcomer Justine Lambert (Camarillo, Calif.) scored on an unearned run, 5-4.
 
Howard got the game-tying runner on base in its final at-bat, thanks to Hart's single to right, but Georgia State's Hallie Adams stopped the Bison's comeback with a strikeout and game-ending flyout.
 
Fletcher and Hart each produced two hits.
 
Sophomore Amelia Weber (Montclair, Calif.) started for HU in the circle, tossing four innings with three Ks in the no decision.
 
For GSU, Nadler led the Panthers with three hits in the win.
 
Howard wraps up the tournament Saturday (Feb. 10) with two more matchups. HU opens the day against Seattle at 10 a.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. start time versus Georgia State.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.