WASHINGTON (March 15, 2025) – Howard University softball team opened MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) play with a doubleheader sweep over North Carolina Central (NCCU) at Washington Nationals Youth Academy in D.C. HU rallied to knock off the Eagles in game one, 6-5, followed by a 6-1 victory in game two.
GAME 1 - HOWARD 6, NCCU 5
Howard manufactured six runs on five hits, led by sophomore utility player
Angel Riggins (San Diego) going 2-of-3 with an RBI-double and run scored.
After two scoreless innings to open the contest, NCCU got on the board with three runs on two homers, 3-0.
Next inning, the Eagles extended their advantage to four scores, 4-0.
Top five, North Carolina Central added an insurance run to take a commanding 5-0 lead.
HU fought back despite the deficit, scoring five times in the fifth while tying the game after five frames, 5-5.
In their final at-bat, senior outfielder
Payton Quinonez (Tulare, Calif.) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch, 6-5.
Graduate infielder
Bri Martinez (Albuquerque, N.M.) delivered a clutch two-run double in the victory.
In the circle, junior
Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) threw a complete-game, tossing 7.0 innings with four Ks.
GAME 2 – HOWARD 6, NCCU 1
In the nightcap, HU produced six runs on six hits with senior infielder
Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) going 2-of-3 with an RBI in the win.
Howard attacked early, scoring two in the first inning while taking a 2-0 advantage after one.
HU scored two more times in the third, 4-0, followed by another run in the fourth, 5-0.
NCCU got on the board in the fifth inning, 5-1, but Fletcher delivered an RBI-single up-the-middle would seal the deal, 6-1.
Sophomore catcher
Merci Hart (Los Angeles) tallied two RBIs and two runs scored in the victory.
Senior pitcher
Jordin King (Pomona, Calif.) grabbed her second win of the season, throwing 4.0 innings with three strikeouts.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Both squads close out the season series Sunday (March 16) with a seven-inning contest at Washington Nationals Youth Academy. New start at 11 a.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.