NORFOLK, Va. (May 8, 2025) – Howard University softball makes its second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship game in four years with Thursday night's 17-5 win over Delaware State (DSU) at NSU Softball Field.
The victory brings Howard to a 30-18 overall record while DSU drops 26-22. Additionally, Coach Tori Tyson earned her 150th career win, giving her the most wins in program history.
Howard opened the scoring early when senior Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) notched a hit to right center, giving fellow senior Alyssa Vasquez (Downey, Calif.) time to make it home. Next batter up, sophomore Angel Riggins (San Diego) sent a shot down the left field line, bringing Vasquez home, 2-0.
After a scoreless second inning, HU widened the gap, 4-0, in the third when Fletcher posted her second RBI of the night before crossing home plate on a fielder's choice.
With two outs and two runners on, DSU fought back with a deep shot to center field in the bottom of the third, bringing two Hornets back to the nest, 4-2.
Next inning, DSU tied the game, 4-4, with a blooper down the right field line, prompting a change on the mound.
Howard regained the lead in the fifth when a ground ball gave way to Riggins crossing the plate, 5-4. Senior Payton Quinonez (Tulare, Calif.) hit to right field gave the opportunity to widen the gap, 6-4. The Bison charged continued when Vasquez followed up with a shot to the center field fence, bringing in Quinonez and fellow classmate Kenna Higa (Honolulu), 8-4.
HU did not let up in the sixth, tacking on two more runs, thanks to big hits from Jordan and senior Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.), 10-4. The Bison posted their most runs in the final inning with seven.
HU capitalized on 18 hits to DSU's 11, posting an OPS of 1.139. In the box, junior Maryn Jordan (San Diego) led the Bison with three runs scored while Fletcher added four hits and three RBIs.
Vasquez led HU defensively with eight putouts.
On the mound, senior Mia Gonzales (Atwater, Calif.) posted her third win of the season.
Howard faces the winner of the loser's bracket between No. 2 Norfolk State, No. 3 Delaware State and No. 6 South Carolina State. Saturday's (May 10) title game is slated for noon on ESPN+.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
