Softball

            Howard Softball Has Historic Season

When the Howard University softball team opened the 2007 dropping its first four games, few expected much from the program which had shown marked progressed each year under fifth-year head coach Tonja Braxton.  But there was something going on that at that time only Braxton and her players were privy to:  The team had the potential to do some big things on the season.

            The team rebounded to win four straight and the confidence began to rise.  There were losses along the way, but the team was always competitive and improving.

            Then came what would prove to be a turning point in the season.  The Bison went 4-1 in the MEAC Roundup, defeating longtime powerhouses Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University for the first time.

            "Traditionally, we did not do well against the teams from the South," said Braxton of the two schools who have won all but one of the tournament championships.  "To go down there and play the way we did, you could sense that this team had something special."

            Howard began to get production from several places.  The addition of freshman Christina McCoy to the staff gave the team another pitcher to take some of the load off ace Dale McNeal.

            Senior Tracy Javier emerged as an all-around player.  First baseman Jennifer Bien Aime, third baseman Kristina Cordova and freshman right fielder Courtney Young provided muscle and power in the middle of the lineup; players like junior shortstop Candice Tatum, junior utility players Fallon Jones and Brianne Gutierrez, senior infielder/outfielder Larcus Pickett and senior Sukai Curtis Contreras began to make timely contributions.

            The team began to develop a never- say-die attitude, sometimes getting behind by several runs and losing the first game of a doubleheader, only to come back each time.

            The Bison finished the season with a best-ever 31-18 mark.  In the process, Young was named MEAC Rookie of the Year and first team all conference along with Dale McNeal  and Tracy Javier.

            But there was still the MEAC Tournament for the Bison who finished the regular season as the fourth seed.

            Facing the prospect of the four senior members on the team (catcher Semplecia Scott, Javier, Pickett and Curtis Contreras) graduating on the opening day of the tournament, the Bison rallied on its reserves and won the first game, 8-1 over Number 5 seed North Carolina A&T.  In true storybook fashion, Scott got to the game from her graduation exercises in the fourth inning of that game, quickly suited up into her uniform and proceeded to hit a two-run pinch hit home run to put the game away.

            Then would come the real test.  The Bison faced their rival and regular season champion Hampton University, which had the added motivation of playing without their legendary coach, Tiny Lassiter, who passed away days before the tournament.

            The game was an intense, well played game that came down to a big hit by Young  and a superb pitching performance by McNeal that resulted in a 1-0 win.

            That advanced the Bison to the next round against a Delaware State team that they have always had problems with.  The Bison prevailed, 6-5 on what was arguably the biggest play of the tournament.  With Howard clinging to a 6-4 lead in the sixth inning, Delaware State had a runner on base with one out.  The Hornets' batter hit a deep drive to right field that appeared out.  But Young made a spectacular leaping catch and from the seat of her pants fired a strike to second base, doubling up the runner who had tagged.  The runner was ultimately ruled safe on a "catch-and-carry" ruling, but the dye was cast as the Bison went on to advance to the championship game.

            "There's no questions about it, that was the biggest play of our season," said Braxton after the game.  "It's plays like that makes champions."

            The Bison still had one step to take in their storybook season:  Beat North Carolina A&T and they were champions.

            But the Aggies, who had rebounded from the earlier loss to Howard, winning four straight games in two days, had other ideas.  NC A&T jumped all over the Bison, hitting grand slam home runs in the first two innings to take a 9-0 lead.

            Many teams would have folded and looked ahead to the next game in the double elimination tournament.  But Howard rallied to get within, 11-8 in the fifth inning before two costly mistakes averted a comeback as the Bison fell, 13-8, setting up Monday's championship with the upstart Aggies.

            Howard rebounded nicely, victimizing the tired Aggies for seven runs in the first inning en route to a 17-0 win that was highlighted by two home runs from Cordova and one each from Young and Bien Aime.

            McNeal, who had been shelled by the Aggies for 10 runs in the previous outing, was masterful in the one-hit shutout.

            The Bison now face the task of playing on a large stage, opening against the defending national champion in its house.  Braxton approaches it a an invaluable experience.
            "This will be a great experience for this team, the coaches and the University," said Braxton.  "We realize what we are up against, but it will give us a good gauge as to where we are and what we need to do to get to the next level."

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Meet the Coach

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