WASHINGTON (February 14, 2025) – The Howard University softball team travels to Atlanta for the second annual HBCU Invitational, featuring teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
The Lady Bison open the tournament against former MEAC rival Florida A&M (FAMU) Friday (Feb.14) at 2 p.m. Following FAMU, Howard meets Grambling State (GSU) later that day at 4 p.m. They have another two games Saturday (Feb. 15), facing Southern (SU) at 10 a.m., and Alcorn State (ASU) at noon. HU's final game of the tournament against Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) is scheduled for Sunday (Feb. 16) at noon.
WEEKEND PREVIEW
HOWARD
Last week, the Lady Bison finished with a 2-1 record in the Runnin' Bulldog Classic in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
Freshman
Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) was named the MEAC Rookie of the Week for her performance opening weekend, batting .714 with five hits, five total and two walks.
FLORIDA A&M
The Rattlers began their 2025 season at the Mercer Bears Classic. They finished with a 0-4 record, suffering losses to Austin Peay (3-2 & 9-2), Saint Joe's (7-2) and Mercer (4-2).
GRAMBLING STATE
The Tigers commenced their 2025 season at the River City Classic. They finished with a 1-4 mark, defeating conference rival Mississippi Valley State (8-7) before suffering losses to fellow SWAC foes Jackson State (3-1) and Alabama A&M (17-6 & 4-3).
SOUTHERN
Southern started their season 0-4 in the Easton Classic, suffering setbacks to California Baptist (11-3), San Diego State (9-0), Utah Tech (17-2) and California State-Fullerton (12-0).
ALCORN STATE
Alcorn began their season 2-2 in the River City Classic, defeating Mississippi Valley State (13-3) and Arlington Baptist (6-0) while suffering losses to Alabama A&M (10-1) and Jackson State (8-2).
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
PVAMU commenced their season with a 1-4 record in the UIW Tournament, suffering losses to UT Arlington (4-0 & 9-3) and Eastern Illinois (4-3 & 5-2). They defeated the host, Incarnate Word (1-0).
LAST TIMEOUT
In the Runnin' Bulldog Classic, Howard won their opening game, 4-3, against Drexel. The Lady Bison lost their next game against West Georgia (7-6) before closing the weekend with another win against Drexel (4-1). The Gardner-Webb game was canceled due to rain.
Graduate
Ameenah Ballenger (Lansdown, Pa.) made her Bison debut, dominating the circle and plate. The Pennsylvania native threw 13.1 innings while going 4-of-9 with four RBIs.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday (Feb. 21)-Sunday (Feb. 23), HU heads to Palm Springs, Calif., to compete in the Mary Nutter Classic.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
