BUIES CREEK, N.C. (February 8, 2026) — Reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champions Howard University softball team opened the 2026 season at the Campbell Stampede (Feb. 6-8), hosted by Campbell University, posting strong offensive performances and competitive showings against Tennessee Tech, Florida A&M and Campbell across five games.
 
Game 1 - Howard 6, Tennessee Tech 3
 
Howard opened the season with a 6–3 victory over Tennessee Tech, using aggressive base running and timely hitting to set the tone for the weekend.
 
The Bison struck early in the first inning when junior catcher Merci Hart (Los Angeles) scored on a wild pitch, followed by sophomore infielder and 2025 conference Rookie of the Year Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) crossing the plate after preseason Player of the Year Taylor Ames-Alexander (Lancaster, S.C.) advanced to third on a throwing error.
 
Howard added to its lead in the third as standout senior outfielder Maryn Jordan (San Diego) reached on an error, allowing junior Makyia Taylor (Temecula, Calif.) to score from second base.
 
Jones delivered the highlight of the game in the fourth inning, tripling down the left-field line to bring home Hart. Moments later, Jones stole home, following another stolen base by Ames-Alexander, extending the lead, 5–1.
 
Junior Wisdom Colbert (Jacksonville, Fla.) capped Howard's scoring in the fifth, advancing to third on a throwing error before Jordan stole home.
 
Game 2 - Florida A&M 6, Howard 5
 
Howard nearly completed a late comeback but fell, 6–5, to Florida A&M in the opening game of Saturday's slate.
 
The Bison took advantage of defensive miscues in the second inning as Taylor scored and freshman Amirah Lenon (Chandler, Ariz.) crossed the plate, following a fielding error.
 
Howard answered again in the fifth inning with senior Zafirah Doss (Hayward, Calif.) reaching on a fielder's choice to score Colbert, followed by a sacrifice fly from junior Angel Riggins (San Diego) that plated Hart to even the score, 4–4.
 
Trailing by two in the seventh, Howard mounted one final rally as Ames-Alexander singled up the middle to drive in Hart, cutting the deficit to one run, but the Bison were unable to push across the tying run.
Game 3 - Howard 12, Florida A&M 10
 
Howard rebounded in dramatic fashion in the nightcap, outlasting Florida A&M, 12–10, behind a decisive five-run fifth inning and late-game execution.
 
After falling behind early, the Bison responded in the second inning when Hart doubled to shallow left field, driving in Taylor and Lenon. Freshman Ariyah Allen (Converse, Texas) later reached on an error, allowing Jordan and Hart to score and give Howard a 5–2 advantage.
 
In the fifth, Howard broke the game open. Allen drew a bases-loaded walk to score Lenon, followed by a three-run triple from Ames-Alexander that brought home Janis Sutton (Marysville, Calif.), Hart and Allen.
 
Despite Florida A&M rallying to tie the game, 10–10, in the sixth, Howard delivered the final blows in the seventh. Junior Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) singled up the middle to score Ames-Alexander before advancing to third on a wild pitch that allowed Taylor to score the eventual game-winning run.
 
Game 4 - Howard 3, Tennessee Tech 2
 
Howard closed Saturday's action with a 3–2 comeback victory over Tennessee Tech.
 
After the Golden Eagles scored twice in the second inning, the Bison answered in the third as Ames-Alexander reached on an error, allowing Hart to score from second.
 
Howard completed the comeback in the fifth inning. Colbert singled to shortstop to drive in Castille, tying the game, before Lenon delivered a sacrifice fly that brought home Doss for the go-ahead run.
 
Game 5 - Campbell 7, Howard 3
 
Howard closed opening weekend Sunday afternoon against host Campbell, falling, 7–3, despite a late surge in the seventh inning.
 
The Camels struck first in the bottom of the second with a two-run triple before Howard answered in the top of the third. Ames-Alexander delivered an RBI single to center field, bringing in Jordan to cut the deficit.
 
Campbell added insurance runs in the third inning, capitalizing on a pair of unearned runs before a three-run home run pushed the margin further in the Camels' favor.
 
Howard remained quiet offensively until the final frame when Taylor provided a spark, sending a two-run home run to deep left field to score Jordan and close out the scoring for the Bison.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
The Bison are back in action February 13-15 when they travel to Covington, Ga., to compete in the annual HBCU Collegiate Invitational.
 
For more information on Howard softball, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.HUBison.com.