NORFOLK, Va. (May 8, 2024) – No. 2 Howard softball battled through a season-high 10-inning game before falling, 6-4, to No. 3 Coppin State (CSU) in Game 4 of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament.
 
After holding off the Eagles through the first, the Bison took charge, coming out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom half. Junior Alyssa Vasquez's (Eastvale, Calif.) double to left center gave way to fellow All-Conference player Maryn Jordan (San Diego) crossing the plate to open the scoring. Newcomer Merci Hart (Los Angeles) followed up with a hit down the right line, bringing Vasquez home, 2-0.
 
The Eagles joined HU on the board in the top of the third, tying it, 2-2, with a two-run hit to right field.
 
Coppin tacked on another run in the fifth with a single up the middle to take the lead, 4-3.
 
The Bison bounced back with a run in the bottom of the frame when Jordan sent a sac fly to right field, bringing junior Kenna Higa (Honolulu) back to the dugout.
 
The Bison set the crowd ablaze when First Team All-MEAC player Bianca Worthy (Goodyear, Ariz.) hit out to the sweet spot, tying the game, 4-4, and forcing extra innings.
 
Both squads battled it out through nearly two and a half more innings before lightning delays halted play.
 
The rain washed away the stalemate as the Eagles posted two runs in the top of the 10^th for a 6-4 lead.
 
Offensively, the Bison outhit CSU .278 (10-36) to .243 (9-37) while posting near identical fielding percentages with the Eagles having a minute .976-.978 edge.
 
The Bison will continue their journey to Saturday's championship game with a matchup against South Carolina State Thursday (May 9) at 3 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.