Howard Uses Six-Run Explosion To Defeat NC A&T

Lexington, SC-April 13-Howard University exploded for six runs in the third inning and added three more in the bottom of the sixth to defeat North Carolina A&T, 9-5 in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Women's Softball Roundup at Pine Grove Complex.

            The Bison (22-13 overall, 6-1 in the MEAC) spotted the Aggies (18-24 overall, 4-3 in the MEAC) a two-run lead in the top of the second and then put together some timely hitting and good base running to score six runs.

            After pitcher Dale McNeal grounded out to start the inning, Brianne Gutirrez got things started when she was hit by a pitch.  Candice Tatum then singled to left field, advancing Gutirrez to second.  Tracy Javier reached base after being hit by a pitch, loading the bases with one out.

            Freshman Courtney Young, who had missed the previous two games with a hand injury, delivered a two-run single, scoring Gutirrez and Tatum.  Kristina Cordova singled to left, driving in another run.  Three batters later, first baseman Jenifer Bien-Aime, who has been on a tear of late, drove in yet another run       

            Sukai Contreas-Curtis followed with a RBI single and Bien Aime closed out the scoring when she came home on a wild pitch.

            McNeal (13-8) then silenced the Aggies' bats, allowing no runs over the next three innings.  The Bison added some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth when Tatum delivered a two-run blast.

            Down 9-2, NC A&T scored three runs in the top of the seventh, but McNeal got Yahamma White to fly out to left field to stop the rally and give Howard its fourth straight win.

            Tatum and Bien Aime each had two hits to lead the attack for Howard. The Bison won despite being out-hit, 13-7 and committing three errors that allowed two unearned runs.  But NC A&T aided Howard's cause by leaving 11 runners on base.

            McNeal, who leads the conference in strikeouts, went the distance, scattering 13 hits, allowing no walks and striking out three.

            Howard will take on South Carolina State on Saturday at 10 am during the three-day tournament.

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Asst. AD for Academic Advising/Head Softball Coach
Tonja M. Braxton