WASHINGTON, D.C. – Howard University softball opened conference play and their home schedule with a 2–1 series victory over the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks over the weekens at Nats Youth Academy

Howard secured 4–1 and 4–1 victories in Saturday's doubleheader before UMES claimed the finale Sunday afternoon, 8-3.

Howard 4, UMES 1

Sophomore pitcher Aiko Conaway (Haymarket, Va.) earned her first win of the season after delivering 5.1 strong innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six. Senior Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) closed the game with 1.2 scoreless innings to record the save.

UMES struck first in the fourth inning, taking a 1–0 lead, but the Bison responded immediately in the bottom half.

Senior outfielder Maryn Jordan (San Diego, Calif.) started the rally with a double before graduate infielder Taylor Ames-Alexander (Lancaster, S.C.) reached base. Junior infielder Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) then delivered the key swing, lining a two-run single to right field to give Howard a 2–1 advantage.

Howard added insurance runs in the fifth inning. Freshman Ariyah Allen (Converse, Texas) singled and later scored on a fielder's choice by sophomore Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas). Jordan capped the inning with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 4–1.

Jordan led the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Castille finished with two RBIs.

Howard 4, UMES 1

The Bison completed the doubleheader sweep behind a four-run fifth inning and a strong pitching effort from senior Destiny Calloway (Evington, Va.), who earned the win after throwing four innings.

UMES opened the scoring in the top of the fifth, but Howard quickly answered.

Junior Tori Trotter (Lacey, Wash.) tied the game with an RBI single, scoring junior Wisdom Colbert (Jacksonville, Fla.). Moments later, junior outfielder Angel Riggins (San Diego, Calif.) delivered the decisive hit, driving a two-run double to center field to put Howard ahead.

Junior Merci Hart (Los Angeles, Calif.) followed with another RBI double, extending the lead to 4–1.

Riggins paced the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Jordan added two hits for the second straight game.

After Calloway's outing, freshman Jaidyn Devore (Barnwell, S.C.) and Conaway combined in relief, with Conaway recording the final seven outs to earn the save.

UMES 8, Howard 3

UMES avoided the sweep in Sunday's finale, capitalizing on early opportunities to build a 3–0 lead in the first inning.

Howard battled back midway through the game. The Bison plated two runs in the fifth inning, including an RBI walk from Jordan and a sacrifice fly by Ames-Alexander.

Junior catcher Makyia Taylor (Temecula, Calif.) tied the game in the sixth inning with a solo home run, her first of the season.

The Hawks, however, broke the game open in the seventh inning with five runs to secure the victory.

The Bison continue conference play next weekend on the road against the Delaware State Hornets in Dover, Del. with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, followed by the finale Sunday, March 22 at noon.

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