DURHAM, N.C. (May 15, 2026) -- The Howard University softball team finds itself in familiar territory again when it takes Duke University in the NCAA Regionals Friday at Smith Family Stadium. The game gets underway at noon and will be aired on the ACC Network.
 
Howard (28-17) won its second straight MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Title to earn the bid to the tournament.
 
The Bison took on the highly regarded Blue Devils in last season's Regionals and dropped a 12-0 decision in the tournament and was ultimately eliminated in the double elimination tournament.
 
Under head coach Tori Tyson, Howard has become a factor in softball, having won three-of-the-last-five tournament titles to advance to coveted postseason play.
 
On Feb. 27, the season was highlighted by a win over the University of Minnesota from the Big Ten, a first in school history over a Power 4 opponent, and a narrow 1-0 loss to nationally ranked LSU (Feb. 22).
 
Offensively, Howard was led by senior Maryn Jordan (San Diego), who led the team in batting average (.478) while pounding out 55 hits and successfully stealing 17-of-21 bases. The San Diego native had a brilliant season, being named MEAC Player of the Year and Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
 
Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.), a junior infielder that proved to be an important contributor by batting .339, along with Makyia Taylor (Temecula, Calif.), who led the team with five homers, and graduate Taylor Ames-Alexander (Lancaster, S.C.), who batted .310 while collecting a team-high 11 doubles and driving in 34 runs.
 
While that group provide to steady and dependable, it was perhaps the play of a freshman, who went unnoticed. Aniyah Whipper (Elk Grove, Calif.) batted in the ninth spot of the batting order and her ability to get on base and score proved to be a key factor. She batted .333 and boated a .508 slugging percentage.
 
One of the main areas where the Bison showed marked improved was in pitching. Sophomore transfer Aiko Conaway (Haymarket, Va.) proved to be more than reliable, finishing 13-9 with 2.92 ERA while being named MEAC Pitcher of the Year.
 
Conway got support from senior Destiny Calloway (Evington, Va.), who posted a 5-2 record.
 
In addition to starters from Conway and Calloway, Howard was able to rely on senior relief pitcher Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.), who register a 4-2 record while striking out 61 batters. Holt, arguably the best relief pitcher in school history, was named to the MEAC All-Tournament and All-MEAC First Team.
 
In Duke, the Bison face a formidable opponent in the sport. The Blue Devils finished 39-14, including 20-4 in the tough ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference), and come into the regionals as the overall No. 12 seed.
 
Duke features a potent lineup, led by junior infielder Jessica Oakland, who batted .465, banged out 13 homers and drove in 64 runs. Senior infielder Aminah Vega is equally effective as she batted .462, recorded 16 homers and drove in a team-high 82 RBIs.
 
Graduate infielder Tyrina Jones rounds out the lethal triumvirate, batting .332 with team-high 20 home runs and 75 RBIs.
 
"This is the fourth best region in the tournament when it comes to run productivity," noted Tyson. "Duke is explosive but so are Arizona and Marshall."
 
Tyson adds that this year's team will be a little more prepared than last year.
 
"We had a lot of veterans and we may have not been as ready or prepared as we should have been," Tyson stated. "This year's team has a nice blend of youth and veterans."
 
With what appears to be an ominous task, Tyson feels that the key will be how the pitching staff responds.
 
"The good thing is that it is double elimination. With so much power in this region, the key is going to be whether our pitching staff can meet the challenge with poise and confidence."
 
Howard will take on the winner or loser of the Arizona-Marshall Saturday (May 16), depending on the outcome of the other matchup.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.