Young Leads Howard To Win Over Delaware State

Severn, MD-March 12-Courtney Young banged out two key hits-including a home run--and made what could have been the play of the game to lead Howard University to a 6-5 win over Delaware State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's softball tournament at Randazzo Park.  The Bison (34-18) advance to the championship round on Sunday at 12:30 pm.

            Howard, which has set several school records in its sixth year in the sport, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead.  The Hornets (24-28), the Number 3 seed, rallied to tie the score at 1-1.

The Bison took a brief 2-1 lead on a Young home run to left center field.  But Delaware State rallied to take a 4-2 lead, scoring three runs on a two-run single by Nicole Demers.

"At that point, I told team to keep fighting  and don't panic," explained Howard Coach Tonja Braxton.  "The plan was to let Christina (McCoy) go five good innings and then bring in Dale (McNeal) to finish.  I had to go to Dale a little earlier than anticipated."

McNeal (19-10), who had allowed only one runs in her two outings, was touched up a bit by Delaware State, prompting Braxton to go back to McCoy, the freshman.

The Bison put together a four-run sixth inning featuring a double by Young, a bunt single by Kristina Cordova, a two-run triple by Jenifer Bien Aime and a two-run homer by Candice Tatum.

McCoy retired the sides in the sixth inning, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the seventh.  Catrina Ansbach singled to right field.  Tabor then hit a shot to deep right field that appeared headed for a homer, but Young leaped high, made the spectacular catch falling down and fired a strike to second base from the seat of her pants in an attempt to double up Ansbach, who was trying the advance.  She was tagged out but was ruled safe by the umpire on a "catch-and-carry" ruling.

"That was maybe the biggest play of the game,' said Braxton.  "In fact, it was huge.  If she doesn't make that play, then it is a different ballgame."  Young was earlier named the MEAC Rookie of the Year.

Kendra Goss ended up scoring a run for Delaware State, but McCoy was able to avert further damage as the Bison advanced to the championship for the first time in school history.

"We had our chances," said Delaware State Coach Jeff Savage.  "Howard made some great plays down the stretch.  We are still alive in the tournament, but we need to muster up the energy to win three in a row." 

Delaware State plays the winner of the Morgan State-North Carolina A&T game later with the winner advancing to the championship against Howard.  All the Bison have to do is win while its opponent will have to beat them twice.

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