Howard Finishes With Impressive 4-1 Mark in Roundup

Lexington, SC-April 16-The Howard University answered a lot of questions during this past weekend's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's softball round-up at Pine Grove Complex.  The Bison (26-14, 10-2 in the MEAC) finished 4-1 and had its best-ever showing.

            Howard opened with a 9-5 win over North Carolina A&T on Friday.  The Bison trailed 2-0 to start the game and then erupted for six runs in the bottom of the third and three more for insurance in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Candice Tatum, Courtney Young and Jennifer Bien Aime provided the firepower, combining for 5 hits and 5 RBI.

            Junior ace Dale McNeal (15-8) picked up the win, going the distance, scattering 13 hits and striking out three.

            In Game Two, the Bison fell behind, 3-0 and then worked their way back by scoring five runs in the fifth and four in the fourth to win 11-3.  This time it was Kristina Cordova, Brianne Gutirrez, Bien Aime and Young who provided the offense while McNeal came in relief in the third inning and shut down the Bulldogs, allowing no runs and one hit while fanning four.

            In Game Three, Howard scored five runs in the sixth inning and it was Tracy Javier, Tatum and Semplecia Scott who combined for six hits among them and four runs as the Bison outlasted Bethune-Cookman University, 8-7.  Freshman pitcher Christina McCoy picked up the win but she got relief from McNeal, who was credited with a save.

            Game Four featured the brilliant pitching of McNeal and the power of Young as the Bison downed Florida A&M, 9-1.  McNeal went six innings, surrendered three hits, one run and walk while also fanning nine batters.

            "Dale pitched extremely well throughout the roundup, but the performance against FAMU is probably the best of the season," said Howard Coach Tonja Braxton, in her fifth year.  "She had it all working.  Her off-speed pitches, her changeup and her control were all working well."

            Young, who came into the roundup, ranking second in the conference in batting and in the Top 20 nationally, batted .500 (8 of 16) during the five games.  She went 2 for 4, drove in four runs including a three-run blast in the first inning that gave her team its first-ever win over the Rattlers.

            Javier and Tatum and Bien Aime also contributed with six hits among them.

            In the final game, Howard fell to Norfolk State, 4-2 despite getting nine hits and getting a solid performance from McCoy, who scattered nine hits and struck out four.  Javier, Tatum and Young combined for six of the Bison's nine hits.  The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for Howard.

            "I am extremely pleased with the way we played all weekend," said Braxton, who needs one win to eclipse the school record for most victories.  "The roundup gave us a chance to see where we are and I like our position.  There were times when we had to come from behind.  The team now believes that it is supposed to come from behind and win in tight games."

            Howard has a big showdown on Thursday when it travels to Hampton, VA to take the Pirates, who are undefeated in conference play.  The Bison will then return home for a doubleheader with Morgan State on Saturday at 1 pm.

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