Softball

Howard Captures First MEAC Title; Advances To NCAAs

Severn, MD-May 14---Dale McNeal rebounded from a personal nightmare and pitched a one-hit shutout to lead Howard University to a 17-0 win over North Carolina A&T State University in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's softball championship at Randazzo Park.  The win gives the Bison their first-ever conference tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Softball Tournament beginning Friday against the University of Arizona at 6:30 pm, MST.

            Howard (35-19), the Number 4 seed, was in a position to advance on Sunday with a win over the Aggies, who had one loss while the Bison came into the game undefeated in tournament play.  NC A&T jumped all over Howard, touching McNeal for 9 runs, including two grand slams en route to a 13-8 loss.  That set up the championship final.

            "We knew that that we could play better," said McNeal, who was named to both the 2007 All-MEAC team and to the all-tournament team after posting a 4-1 mark  "This is something we had talked about all season and we just decided that we were going to give our all to get the win."

            Added Howard Coach Tonja Braxton, "I just told Dale that she had to have a short memory.  I assured her that if we were going to win it, we were going to go with our best.  She pitched a masterful game."

            The Bison put the game away early, erupting for seven runs in the first inning and then dismissing any attempts for a comeback with a three-run second and a seven-run third.

            Leading the way was sophomore third baseman Kristina Cordova, who went 2-for-2, both home runs and driving in three runs, freshman rightfielder Courtney Young, who banged out two hits, including a home run and driving in three runs, and leadoff junior second baseman Brianne Gutirrez, who was a prefect 3-for3 from the plate and drove in three runs.

            "This is a very special honor for me," said Young, tourney MVP and MEAC Rookie of the Year.  "To be able to contribute to the team as a freshman, to be able to win a conference title for the first time in history and to be going to the NCAAs is all very special.  It doesn't get any better than this."

            The Aggies (30-30) lost to the Bison in Friday's first round and then proceeded to fight and claw their way back to the championship game with a group of very of talented freshmen.

            "For a young team to make a run like we made, it's encouraging," said NC A&T head coach Mamie Jones.  "Of course, we wanted to win the championship, but I feel like we have something to build on."

            For the game, the Bison were almost flawless.  They banged out 14 hits and committed no errors, a far cry from Sunday's meltdown that featured errors and mental letdowns.

            "I did not have to say much to them," explained Braxton, who was named the Tournament Outstanding Coach.  "They knew what they had to do and they showed today that when they are focused and playing Bison softball, they can be pretty good.

GAME NOTES: Along with McNeal, Jenifer Bien Aime was also named to the all-tournament team...the 35 wins is a school record...McNeal holds all of the school's pitching records including strikeouts and wins.

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