Softball

Howard Wins Two; Advances to Second Round

Severn, MD-May 11-Howard University rode the efforts of a two reserves and the outstanding pitching of Dale McNeal to defeat North Carolina A&T, 8-1 in the first round, and then parlayed a costly miscue and another clutch pitching performance by McNeal to defeat Hampton University, 1-0 to advance to the next round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's softball tournament at Randazzo Park.

            The Bison (33-18) opened the tournament without the services of seniors Tracy Javier, Semplecial Scott and Larcus Pickett, who were all graduating.  But reserves Brianne Gutirrez and Sondra Jones stepped up and made some important contributions.  Jones, who started at second base, went two-for-three and scored a run while Gutirrez, who played third base, collected a key hit and scored.

            "With the changes we had to make in our lineup, I thought Brianne and Sondra came up big when we needed them," said Howard Coach Tonja Braxton.  "Brianne stepped in as our leadoff batter in place of Tracy (Javier) and did a fine job.  It helps that she is so hard to strike out because it gives us something to work from." Gutirrez ranks among the top players in the nation in hardest to strike out.

            Braxton continued, "And then Sondra Jones in that second spot and getting two hits was more than you can ask for under the conditions."

            The Bison got on board first, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second.  The Aggies (26-29) got a run in their half of the fourth to get within, 3-1.  Then Howard all but put the game away on a three-run fifth that was triggered by Scott, who delivered a dramatic two-run blast.  The senior catcher from Stone Mountain, GA literally got out of her car after coming back from graduation ceremonies, changed into her uniform, went in to pinch hit and delivered, setting off a wild celebration at home plate as she rounded the bases.

            From there, it was all McNeal, who earlier had been named to the 2007 All-MEAC team.  The junior ace from Los Angeles, CA went six innings, allowed five hits, walked two and struck out six.

            That set up the much-anticipated nightcap between the regular season champion Hampton Pirates and the Number 4 seed Bison.  The two teams split four games during the regular season with the two losses by Howard counting as conference games and the two wins not.

            The game lived up to the expectations and then some.  Hampton, which was playing on the emotions of having lost their legendary head coach, Tiny Lasiter earlier last week, combined the brilliant pitching of their ace Amanda Black and some sterling defense to hold Howard to only two hits.

            The Bison equaled their rivals tenacity with some superb pitching from McNeal, who allowed only four hits, and some timely defensive plays, including a key double play in the bottom of the seventh.

            Then Howard managed to manufacture the game's only run after a double by Courtney Young, the 2007 MEAC Rookie of the Year, and an error by the Pirates, the only one of the game.

            "This was a well played game," said Braxton, in an understatement.  "Both teams were very focused and played with a great deal of intensity.  It was definitely a championship-caliber game."

            The Bison, who continue to set records each time out during this historic season, face Number 3 seed Delaware State University on Saturday at 3:30 pm.  A victory puts them in the championship game for the first time ever.  A loss would put them in the loser's bracket and they would have to turn around and play again at 5:30 pm to advance to Sunday's title game.

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Meet the Coach

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