DURHAM, N.C. – Howard University softball opened NCAA Regional play Friday afternoon against No. 13 national seed Duke, falling 10-1 in five innings at Smith Family Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Making their second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance, and second straight trip to Durham, the Bison (28-18) collected four hits against the Blue Devils while battling against one of the nation's top programs on college softball's biggest stage.
Lead batter and MEAC Player of the Year
Maryn Jordan (San Diego, Calif.) recorded Howard's first hit of the afternoon with a single in the opening inning before stealing second base.
Junior catcher
Makyia Taylor (Temecula, Calif.) delivered Howard's lone extra-base hit with a double to right center in the fourth inning. Junior infielder
Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) followed with a single before junior outfielder
Angel Riggins (San Diego, Calif.) worked a walk to load the bases.
Junior outfielder
Tori Trotter (Lacey, Wash.) then drew an RBI walk to score freshman pinch runner
Ariyah Allen (Converse, Texas), putting the Bison on the board in the fourth.
MEAC Pitcher of the Year
Aiko Conaway (Haymarket, Va.) made the start inside the circle for Howard, while senior
Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) appeared in relief.
Duke used a strong power-hitting performance to build an early advantage, totaling six home runs in the contest.
Despite the final score, Howard head coach Tori Tyson praised the fight shown by her team against one of the nation's top seeded programs.
"I feel like the score just wasn't indicative to our fight," Tyson said. "I was again proud of our fight. I'm very proud of the quality at bats we were able to put together. I'm really excited to still be on our quest to make history and trying to get our first regional win."
Jordan, who helped lead Howard back to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, echoed that confidence in the post game interview.
"We've been here before. We know what to expect," Jordan said. "We just need to make it known that we deserve to be here."
Despite the setback, Howard remains alive in the double-elimination NCAA Regional and will face the loser of Game 2 on Saturday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m. in an elimination game.
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website
www.hubison.com.
