WASHINGTON (February 6, 2025) – Howard University Softball kicks off the 2025 season, playing in the Runnin' Bulldog Classic, hosted by Gardner-Webb University (GWU), in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The two-day (Feb. 7-8) tournament includes the Lady Bison, GWU, West Georgia and Drexel.
 
HU begins the season against Drexel Friday (Feb. 7) at 12:30 p.m. Then, the Lady Bison will face GWU at 5:30 p.m., later that afternoon. They will play West Georgia Saturday (Feb. 8) at 10 a.m., followed by Drexel at 12:30 p.m.
 
SEASON OUTLOOK
 
Last season, the Lady Bison achieved an impressive 32-13 overall record, including a 16-5 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They secured a first-place finish in the regular season but faced an early exit in the MEAC Tournament, falling to South Carolina State on the second day.
 
Offensively, Howard concluded the 2024 season with a .288 team batting average, accumulating 385 hits and 214 runs scored. They finished top 3 in the MEAC for RBIs (178), total bases (512) and doubles (53). The team showed discipline at the plate, ranking second in the conference for least strikeouts (129) while also delivering 11 triples and a .382 slugging percentage.
 
Key contributors included infielder Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) and catcher Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.), who ranked among the top in RBIs, doubles and overall hitting performance.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEWS
 
HOWARD
 
Entering the season, the Lady Bison were predicted as the preseason favorite to win the 2025 MEAC softball regular season title.
 
Pitcher Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) was selected as MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the year and Preseason First Team, along with Fletcher, Vasquez, second baseman Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.), third baseman Kenna Higa (Honolulu) and outfielder Maryn Jordan (San Diego, Calif.).
 
Utility player Ameenah Ballenger (Lansdown, Pa.), pitcher Mia Gonzales (Atwater, Calif.) and outfielder Merci Hart (Los Angeles) were selected to the Preseason Second Team.
 
DREXEL
 
The Dragons concluded the 2024 season with a 15-30 overall record, including a 4-14 mark in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).
 
Despite a challenging season, the Dragons secured notable victories, including a 6-1 win against Hofstra (March 16) and a 10-2 triumph over Towson (April 5).
 
GARDNER-WEBB
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs are projected to finish in the middle of the Big South Conference standings.
 
In the 2024 season, they achieved a 33-20 overall record with a 9-9 record in conference play.
 
The team demonstrated strong performance at home, boasting a 22-8 record. Notably, they secured a series sweep against Charleston Southern.
 
WEST GEORGIA
 
The Wolves concluded their 2024 season with a 20-33 overall record, including a 9-21 mark in the Gulf South Conference.
 
The team found success at home, achieving a 14-9 record, but faced challenges on the road.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
On Feb. 14-16, Howard goes to Atlanta for the HBCU Invitational where they will face five opponents from the Southwest Athletic Conference.
 
For the latest updates, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.