WASHINGTON (April 13, 2024) – Howard softball (28-8, 12-2 MEAC) split the day, 1-1, with Coppin State (16-14, 11-3 MEAC) Saturday afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) showdown, setting a new program record in the process.
 
The Bison continued Winner's Circle Weekend, recognizing their alumni and inserting a ceremonial pitch before their 4-3 win over the Eagles. Those in attendance included MEAC champion head coach Tonja Braxton, Howard Athletics Hall of Famer Courtney Young, the 2007 and 2022 championship teams and other notable alumni. HU honored those before them with another ceremonial pitch before game two.
 
HOWARD 4, COPPIN 3
 
After going scoreless through the first two innings, the scoreboard saw action in the third when the Eagles notched back-to-back runs, prompting a change on the mound, 2-0. After doubling down the left line and stealing third, Coppin State (CSU) sophomore Manaia Fonti (Waimanalo, Hawaii) lifted the Eagles, 3-0.
 
Justine Lambert (Camarillo, Calif.) made her way around the diamond, sliding under throws and into bases for the Bison's first score of the day, 3-1.
 
Maryn Jordan's (San Diego) hit to center gave pinch runner Iyanna Fortenberry (Richmond, Va.)  a chance to close the gap, 3-2.
 
In an exciting finish to the third, Bianca Worthy (Goodyear, Ariz.) seized her opportunity to cross home plate when the Eagles decided to get the out at first base, resulting in an even 3-3 board.
 
The Bison kept the Eagles in place, putting two outs on the board before a hit by pitch filled the bases. The Eagles' hopes to pull away fell short as a pop-fly fell into the glove of first baseman Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) to close the top of the fourth.
 
Scoring picked up again in the bottom of the fifth when the Bison worked in one more run before the final out. That run would be the dedicing factor as HU kept the Eagles in the nest through the next three innings.
 
The 4-3 win marked a new program record for the Bison with 12 consecutive wins. The Bison broke the previous 11-game win streak benchmark, which was set twice earlier this season.
 
COPPIN 6, HOWARD 2
 
In a similar fashion to the series opener, the first two innings ended in a stalemate with action picking up in the third.
 
Sophomore infielder Seryna Esparza (Hollister, Calif.) put the Eagles on the board with a line drive to left field for a 1-0 advantage.
 
In the top of the fourth, sophomore Brooklyn Tapusoa (Salt Lake City) notched another run for Coppin State when the Eagle soared one over the fence to inch away, 2-0. Ground balls up the middle resulted in two more scores for CSU – pulling away, 4-0. The Coppin State charge continued with a hit deep to left field before closing the fourth, 5-0.
 
Coppin State managed one run in the fifth with sights on a second, but a quick-handed Alyssa Vasquez (Eastvale, Calif.) tagged the runner out as she slid into home to end the top half, 6-0.
 
Aiming for a comeback, the Bison joined the board at the bottom of the seventh in one of the biggest plays of the game. Newcomer Merci Hart (Los Angeles) hit a double to right center, giving sophomore Kelsie Jarrett (Nashville, Tenn.) time to make it home. Rounding home on the throw, the California native slid to the base, beating the oncoming Eagle, 6-1. The play set the Bison up for another run as the next batter grounded out to short.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
The Bison return to the diamond Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m., when they close out the series against Coppin State at the Washington Nationals Youth Academy in D.C.
 
For more information visit the Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.