COVINGTON, Ga. (February 14, 2025) – Howard University softball team opened the HBCU Collegiate Invite with a split Friday. HU fell to former conference rival Florida A&M (FAMU), 9-1, but bounced back to knock off Grambling State (GSU) in the nightcap, 8-5 (f/8).
 
HOWARD 8, GRAMBLING STATE 5 (f/8)
 
HU manufactured eight runs on 11 hits in the nightcap, led by junior outfielder Maryn Jordan (San Diego) going 3-of-4 at the plate.
 
GSU took an early 1-0 lead after one, but senior catcher Alyssa Vasquez (Eastvale, Calif.) tied the contest with an RBI-walk, 1-1.
 
Top three, Jordan's RBI-double gave the Bison their first lead, 2-1, but Grambling State responded in the bottom half with an RBI-sac fly, 2-2.
 
Howard regained the upper hand with a pair of scores in the fifth, 4-2, followed by an RBI-double to center from senior infielder Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.), 5-2.
 
GSU refused to go away, tying the matchup with a three-run inning in the seventh, 5-5.
 
In extras, HU capitalized on the Tigers' miscues with three unearned runs to take the victory, 8-5.
 
Senior pitcher Jordin King (Pomona, Calif.) earned her first win of the season in relief, going 1.1 innings with a strikeout.
 
HOWARD 1, FLORIDA A&M 9
 
Howard recorded six hits in the opener, but only to bring home one run. Second-year Bison Angel Riggins (San Diego) led the Bison attack, going a perfect 3-of-3 in the loss.
 
FAMU jumped on the Bison early with four first-inning runs and never looked back.
 
Florida A&M added another run in the second, 5-0, but senior utility player Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) answered with a solo shot over the left field wall, 5-1.
 
FAMU kept the pressure on throughout with a pair of long balls in the fourth and fifth innings to down HU.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Saturday (Feb. 15), Howard continues play in the HBCU Collegiate Invite against Southern at 10 a.m., followed by a matchup with Alcorn State at noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.