Softball

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Capping off a week long homecoming celebration, the Howard softball team held its 1^st Alumni Game on Sunday October 19.  14 former Lady Bison returned to Banneker Field on Sunday for a 10:30am game that was nothing short of comical. 

The vets never stood much of a chance against the current Bison squad.  Even with Dale McNeal (a four-year ace and All-MEAC performer) on the mound and former all-conference standouts Tracy Javier, Kenicia Cross, Debbie Lee, Rishelle Charles and Nayrobi Nicholas in the field, the vets could not get much offense going.  All of the current Bison hurlers threw for the white team (Jessica Hurston, Christina McCoy, Emily Johnson and Carly Martin) and one by one, the vets were retired.    McNeal, Javier, and Megan Rogers hurled for the blue team but could not stop the offensive assault of the white team, which included a pair of homeruns from Emily Johnson.  Johnson, a sophomore 3B/pitcher from Jacksonville, Fla. finished 3-4 at the plate, proving to the vets that their former coach still has a very good eye for talent. 

"This was a lot of fun for them and for me," said Head Coach Tonja Braxton. "I was so happy to get a chance to see them all again and to have the opportunity to bring the past and the present together."

"The team really looks good. They have a lot of good hitters and they are talented all around the diamond," said Semi Scott, starting catcher on the 2007 championship team. "Every time we looked up, there was another new face making either a really good play or getting a hit. We're all going to try to come down for the MEAC Championship this year to watch them win it all again." 

HU Softball, just in its seventh year, enjoyed the program's first MEAC Championship in 2007.  The Lady Bison are looking to return to glory and re-capture the MEAC crown this year.  The team concludes its fall campaign this Sunday when they travel to Bowie State for a three-game tournament.