Softball

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Howard University will begin its quest for its second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament title when it takes on the Lady Rattlers of Florida A&M University today at 1:30 pm at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Lady Bison (21-15 overall, 12-3 in the MEAC), the second seed in the Northern Division, enter the tournament as one of the hottest teams, having won its last seven games to close out the season.  Florida A&M University (15-38 overall, 5-7 in the MEAC), the Number three seed in the Southern Division, has also played well of late, having won three of its last four.

The Lady Bison used the same formula for success that they employed last season: balanced offense and sterling defense.  Howard led the conference in batting and fielding and was third in pitching.

"I feel good about this team," said Howard head coach Tonja Braxton.  "It has been a process.  This team is different from last year's.  We have a different identity and it took us a while to find it.  But I think overall, we have a chance to be successful."

Howard features a veteran lineup that includes sophomore OF Courtney Young, who followed up her Rookie of the Year honors last season be being named the 2008 Player of the Year.  Young batted .459 on the season, good enough for tops in the MEAC and seventh nationally.  She also banged out 12 doubles to rank 16^th in the nation.

"I have said all along that she is a special player," said Braxton.  "Her feel for the game and overall understanding of what to do, separates her.  We are very fortunate to have her in this program."

Young has plenty of support in junior catcher Kristina Cordova, a first team All-MEAC selection, who batted .415 and freshman Emily Johnson, who was named to the second team after batting .425.

Add to that mix, the power hitting of senior Brianne Gutierrez, who led the team in doubles with 14 and in home runs with eight, and you can understand why the Lady Bison are one of the favorites.

On the defensive side, Howard has gotten another strong season from senior Dale McNeal, a second team All-MEAC selection who finished fifth in the conference in strikeouts with 96 and had a career-best 2.13 ERA.  Sophomore Christina McCoy (6-4) and freshman Jessica Hurston (4-2) will also be key factors on the mound if the Lady Bison are to repeat.

"Dale has been great for us for four years," said Braxton.  "She has shown leadership and hopefully she will be able to continue it this weekend."

FAMU will counter with OF Rhianna Green and INF Alacia Stradford, both second team All-MEAC selections.  Stradford collected eight doubles and ranked second in the conference in hits with 52 while batting .323.  Green will test the Howard defense with her speed on the bases as she was successful with 14 of 17 attempts.

"The balance and talent in this conference continues to get better each year," noted Braxton.  "You cannot overlook anyone.  We know that we have our work cut out for us."