NORFOLK, Va. (May 6, 2026) – Top-seeded Howard University softball opened its 2026 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Tournament title defense in dominant fashion Wednesday evening, defeating No. 5 Morgan State, 11-2 (f/6), at NSU Softball Field in Norfolk, Va.
Morgan State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning before extending the advantage, 2-0, on a solo home run in the third.
The Bison bounced back immediately when freshman
Aniyah Whipper (Elk Grove, Calif.) sparked the rally with a single before coming around to score the first Howard run following a Morgan State throwing error, 2-1. MEAC Player of the Year
Maryn Jordan (San Diego) tied the game moments later with a sacrifice fly to center, 2-2.
Sophomore
Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) laid down a bunt single before junior
Cheyenne Castille (Eastvale, Calif.) ripped an RBI-double to left center, giving the Bison their first lead of the afternoon, 3-2. Junior catcher
Makyia Taylor (Temecula, Calif.) followed with a two-run homer to cap a five-run third inning and put Howard ahead, 5-2.
Jordan added an RBI-double in the fourth inning to extend the lead, 6-2, before Howard plated two more runs in the fifth behind a two-run double from junior
Tori Trotter (Lacey, Wash.), 8-2.
Taylor delivered the knockout blow in the sixth inning, crushing her second home run of the day with a three-run shot to center field while ending the game via run rule, 11-2.
Taylor finished 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs to lead the Howard offense. Whipper scored three runs while going 2-for-2 with a walk and Jordan added two RBIs. Castille, Jones, Trotter,
Angel Riggins (San Diego) and
Amirah Lenon (Chandler, Ariz.) each recorded hits in the victory.
In the circle, MEAC Pitcher of the Year
Aiko Conaway (Haymarket, Va.) earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits across 5.1 innings. Freshman
Jaidyn Devore (Barnwell, S.C.) closed out the contest in relief.
Howard totaled 12 hits while limiting Morgan State to just three.
The reigning MEAC Tournament champions improved to 26-17 overall and advanced to Thursday evening's matchup against the winner of No. 2 Delaware State and No. 3 South Carolina State. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information on Howard University softball, visit the official Howard Athletics website at
www.hubison.com.
