WASHINGTON (April 11, 2024) - Howard University Softball hosts Coppin State University (CSU) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) clash. The matchup will decide who holds first place in the league with a doubleheader Saturday, April 13, starting 4 p.m., at the Washington Nationals Youth Academy Field. The series concludes Sunday (April 14) with a seven-inning contest at 3 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can track all the action with live stats and Saturday's twinbill can be seen on ESPN+.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
Since 2006, CSU holds a slight edge over HU, 25-24.
 
A year ago, Coppin State won the season series, winning two of three games, while knocking the Bison out of the MEAC Tournament.
 
HOWARD
 
On the season, Howard holds a 27-7 (11-1 MEAC) mark. The Lady Bison are flirting with program history again as they are on their second 11-game win streak of the season.
 
The squad is doing well due to a collective effort, led by outfielder Bianca Worthy (Goodyear, Ariz.), who is batting .406 with 17 RBIs on the season. She earned her third MEAC Player of the Week award this season.
 
Howard is also led by catcher/utility Merci Hart (.345 BA & 22 RBIs), shortstop Sidney Fletcher (.298 BA, 20 RBIs & three home runs) and first baseman Kenna Higa (Honolulu), who is batting .338 on the season with 19 RBIs and one home run.
 
On the mound, the Lady Bison have been excellent, only allowing a 4.02 ERA.
 
The trio of Amelia Weber (Montclair, Calif.), Mia Gonzales (Atwater, Calif.) and Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) have dominated in the circle, combining for 23 wins. Weber has an 11-3 mark while Gonzalez holds a 7-1 record. Holt is 5-0 overall in 19 appearances with a 1.06 ERA and six saves.
 
COPPIN STATE
 
On the season, Coppin State has a 15-12 record (10-2 MEAC).
 
The star players on the Eagles are sophomore infielders Seryna Esparza and Manaia Fonoti and sophomore outfielder Brooklyn Tapusoa. Esparza is batting .364 with 13 RBIs and three home runs, Fonoti is batting .348 with 14 RBIs and Tapusoa is batting .306 with 21 RBIs and two home runs.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
On April 6-7, HU swept the season series at Delaware State.
 
Sophomore Maryn Jordan (San Diego) earned MEAC Co-Player of the Week while freshman Merci Hart (Los Angeles) claimed the league's Rookie of the Week. Jordan batted .818 (9-of-11) with five runs scored, four RBIs, two doubles and a walk. For Hart, she produced a .500 batting average (5-of-10) with three RBIs, two runs scored and a double.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
On April 20-21, Howard goes to Baltimore to face rival Morgan State in its final road series of the season. Saturday's (April 20) doubleheader is set for 1 p.m., followed by a seven-inning contest Sunday (April 21) at noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.