NORFOLK, Va. (May 7, 2025) – Top-seeded Howard University softball has its eye on another title with Wednesday night's, 5-1, win over No. 4 Morgan State (MSU) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament opening round. The win marked Coach Tyson's 149th career win - tying her with former head coach Tonja Braxton.
The Bison improve their overall record to 29-18 while the Lady Bears fall to 18-28.
Top four with two outs on the board, a Lady Bear made her way to third base – Morgan's first scoring opportunity of the night. A hard hit to right field slipped by the HU second baseman's glove, but sophomore Angel Riggins (San Diego) was there to play cleanup – making the inning-ending play.
After four scoreless innings, Howard broke the stalemate. With two outs and a Bison on third, graduate Ameenah Ballenger (Lansdown, Pa.) seized the opportunity with a solid hit to right field, scoring sophomore Wisdom Colbert (Jacksonville, Fla.), 1-0.
Morgan got on the board in the fifth with an RBI-single to even the score, 1-1. The Bears nearly took the lead when a ball dropped in right field, but tenacious junior catcher Zafirah Doss (Hayward, Calif.) was ready to chase down a retreating Bear for the final out.
Bottom five, a shot down the left line from MEAC Rookie of the Year Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) put two Bison in the diamond. Senior Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.) followed with a chopper up-the-middle, giving fellow senior Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) time to make it back in the dugout, 2-1. A sac-fly to center field extended the Bison lead, 3-1, before closing out the inning.
In an attempt to close the gap in the sixth, Morgan took the chance to run home on a deep hit to center field, but sophomore catcher Merci Hart (Los Angeles) cut the Bears opportunity short - diving for the out.
Bottom six with bases loaded, junior Maryn Jordan (San Diego) pinch hit and delivered a shot deep center field, bringing home two Bison before the third runner was thrown out at home. The two-run double widened the gap, 5-1.
Howard utilized nine hits, recording an .845 OPS in the win, compared to Morgan's five hits .551 OPS.
The Bison continue their run for the tournament title Thursday (May 8) at 8 p.m., when they face No. 3 Delaware State at NSU Softball Field.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
