DURHAM, Nc. – The Bison claimed their first series of the conference slate over the weekend when they went 2-1 against North Carolina Central. The feat gave the Bison a head start in MEAC rankings as they sit 18-7 overall and in a three-way tie with Coppin and South Carolina State to top the conference rankings.
 
NC CENTRAL 3, HOWARD 1
 
The Bison opened the scoring in the fifth when junior Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, calif.) hit a bomb out to left center picking up her first double of the weekend and RBI when Maryn Jordan (San Diego, Calif.) crossed the bag. The frame saw even more action in the bottom half when a hit by pitch handed the Eagles their first run before tacking on two more for the finish, 3-1.
 
 
HOWARD 8, NC CENTRAL 3
 
HU was first on the board again in game two opening the scoring in the first inning when Vasquez and Bianca Worthy (Goodyear, Ariz.) took advantage of a fielding error for a 2-0 lead. 
 
The Bison kept the momentum going after holding off the Eagles in the second. Jordan hit a single up the middle allowing Kenna Higa (Honolulu) time to make it home, 3-0. After making her way around the diamond it was Jordan's turn to cross the plate when the Eagle on the mound walked newcomer Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) with bases loaded, 4-0. 
 
A fielding error would continue to push the Bison away in the third for a 5-0 advantage.
 
NCCU joined the Bison on the board in the same frame when they capitalized on a sac bunt and throwing error for a 5-1 score.
 
The Eagles highlighted the fourth inning with a homer to right center inching closer, 5-2.
 
The fifth inning widened the gap when first-year Bria Finley (Buford, Ga.) crossed off Lealani Rick's (Madera, Calif.) hit up the middle, 6-2. It wasn't long before the Bison crossed two more for their final total of eight runs.
 
After a scoreless sixth inning for both dugouts, the Eagles notched their final run in the seventh off a fielding error for an 8-3 finish.
 
 
HOWARD 12, NC CENTRAL 3
 
The Bison continued their crusade on day two opening the scoring in the first for a 1-0 lead. 
 
The Eagles posted two runs in the third for a 3-1 advantage.
 
The Bison offense exploded in the fifth. HU utilized five hits for six runs with rookie Angel Riggins (San Diego, Calif.) notching her third RBI of the game, 7-3.
 
Riggins kept the surge going in the seventh when she posted two more RBIs for a 9-3 lead. Merci Hart's (Los Angeles, Calif.) hit out to center field inched the Bison to a 10-3 lead before Higa closed it out down the left line bringing home Sydni Jones (Whittier, Calif.) and Hart.
 
The Bison are back in action Saturday, March 23^rd when they host South Carolina State in their home conference opener. The Bison will be recognizing head coach Tori Tyson's 100^th win prior to the day's game. The matchup with be aired on ESPN+.
 
For more information visit the official Howard Athletics website www.HUBison.com.