WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard University softball team put together a complete Saturday (Feb. 14), earning a pair of impressive victories with a 7-4 win over Texas Southern before closing the day with a 4-2 triumph over North Carolina A&T.

Howard 7, Texas Southern 4

Howard set the tone early. In the top of the first, reigning MEAC Player of the Week Merci Hart (Los Angeles, Calif.)sparked the offense with a single before Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) followed with a bunt single. Grad transfer Taylor Ames-Alexander (Lancaster, SC) delivered an RBI single to center to plate the game's first run.

After a sacrifice bunt by Angel Riggins (San Diego, Calif.) moved runners into scoring position, Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) brought home a run with a sacrifice RBI. Wisdom Colbert (Jacksonville, Fla.) capped the three-run inning with an RBI single to right, giving Howard a 3-0 lead.

The Bison added two more runs in the third, capitalizing on Texas Southern miscues. Ames-Alexander and Riggins each collected RBIs in the frame to stretch the lead to 5-0.

Howard continued to apply pressure in the fourth when Jones executed a sacrifice bunt that ultimately led to another run crossing the plate, extending the margin to 6-0.

Texas Southern responded late, highlighted by a three-run homer in the sixth that trimmed the lead to 6-4, but Howard answered in the seventh.

After Riggins drew a walk and Castille singled, Maryn Jordan (San Diego, Calif.) delivered a clutch RBI single to center to score an insurance run and seal the 7-4 victory.

At the plate, Hart finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Castille and Colbert each tallied two hits, while Ames-Alexander scored twice and drove in a run.

In the circle, Destiny Calloway (Evington, VA) earned the win (2-0), tossing 5.1 innings while allowing four runs with two strikeouts. Julia Holt (Tucson, AZ) closed the door with 1.2 scoreless innings to record her first save of the season.
 

Howard 4, North Carolina A&T 2

The nightcap featured strong pitching and situational execution.

After three scoreless innings, Howard broke through in the fourth. Riggins singled to start the rally before Castille laced an RBI double to center to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.

Later in the inning, Colbert laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance runners, and Kelyse Stewart (Lee's Summit, MO)came through with an RBI single to push the lead to 2-0.

Howard added another run in the sixth in dramatic fashion. With runners moving on the basepaths, Jordan successfully stole home to give the Bison a 3-0 cushion.

North Carolina A&T answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to 3-2, setting up a tense final frame.

In the seventh, Hart doubled to left and advanced to third before Ames-Alexander delivered again, singling home an insurance run to extend the lead to 4-2.

Howard now turns its attention to the Purple & Gold Challenge in Baton Rouge, La., beginning Feb. 20 against Louisiana. The weekend slate also includes matchups against RV Michigan State and #12/#10 LSU February 21st and 22nd.

For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.hubison.com.