WASHINGTON (April 19, 2025) - Howard University softball (23-17, 17-1 MEAC) posted its fifth conference sweep of the season with Saturday afternoon's 11-0 win over Morgan State (13-26, 9-9 MEAC).
 
The senior day victory extended Howard's win streak to 12 - tying the program record set last season.
 
Ahead of the series finale, Howard acknowledged its 10 seniors, including all four pitchers who shined on the mound.
 
In her first start of the year, senior Morgan Thornton (Manassas, Va.) closed the top of the first inning in three-up-three-down fashion when the last Bear at-bat struck out swinging.
 
For the second day in a row, Kenna Higa (Honolulu) was the first Bison in the diamond after hitting a double deep to the centerfield fence. A sac bunt to follow set the Bison up for their first scoring opportunity of the day. With two outs, a pop-up to the pitcher cut the opportunity short, 0-0.
 
The Bears saw their first scoring opportunity in the top of the second when a deep hit to the fence bounced out of the park for a double. Next at-bat, Morgan State (MSU) hit a single to put Bears on the corners. MSU stole second on the next pitch. The following hit, the Bear at-bat made her way to first, beating out the throw and loading the bases. With two strikes against them, a short bunt to the left line cut the Bear's run even shorter, leaving bases loaded, 0-0.
 
The Bison charged through the bottom of the second posting six hits. With bases loaded and only one out on the board, senior Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) hit her first career home run - a grand slam - with a shot to left field just out of reach of the Bear in the field, 4-0. Higa hit her second homer of the weekend, sending a shot sailing over the left-field fence for a 5-0 lead.
 
Reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) followed with a quick shot to center field. Rounding the corner at second, Jones saw the cue to keep running as the Bears fumbled in the outfield. A miscue from MSU gave a speedy Jones time to make it home, running the score up 6-0 in the second and marking her first career home run.
 
After keeping the Bears at bay for the third straight inning, Howard kept the homers coming.
 
Grad Bri Martinez (Albuquerque, N.M.) sent a hit over the fence, notching her second of the season while pushing the Bison to an 8-0 advantage.
 
Senior Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) hit a line drive to right field, allowing Zafirah Doss (Hayward. Calif.) to cross the plate as the throw sailed over the catcher's glove, 10-0. Martinez brought Fletcher home with a hit to third base to inch away, 11-0.
 
Howard utilized 14 hits in the conference sweep, posting a 1.680 OPS.
 
On April 26-27, Howard faces Norfolk State (NSU) in a MEAC three-games series in Norfolk, Va. Saturday (April 26), HU takes on NSU in a doubleheader at 1 p.m., followed by a seven-inning contest Sunday (April 27) at noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.