BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (February 7, 2025) – Howard University softball team opened the 2025 campaign with a 4-3 victory over Drexel at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic, hosted by Gardner-Webb.
 
Second-year Bison Angel Riggins (San Diego) got HU on the board first with an RBI-double to left center, bringing home senior Alyssa Vasquez (Eastvale, Calif.), 1-0.
 
Drexel tied the contest in its third at-bat, 1-1, but the Bison responded with a three-run third inning and took a 4-1 advantage after three.
 
In their final at-bat, the Dragons scored twice to pull within one, 4-3, but MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Preseason Pitcher of the Year Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) ended the rally with a three-out save; thus, securing the victory.
 
Vasquez scored twice while recording an RBI-single in the third inning.
 
Graduate transfer Ameenah Ballenger (Lansdown, Pa.) made her presence known at the plate and inside the circle. In the box, she went 2-of-3 with an RBI. With her arm, the Pennsylvania native faced 23 batters in 5.2 innings off the bench.
 
For Drexel, Violet Marta tossed six innings while striking out five batters in the loss.
 
Saturday (Feb. 8), Howard wraps up the weekend with a pair of matchups at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic. HU meets West Georgia at 10 a.m., followed by a rematch with Drexel at 12:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.