Softball

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a 10-19 start to the 2009 season, the Howard University softball team will play their first MEAC games this weekend, April 4-5 when they travel to Randazzo Softball Park in Severn, Md. for a three game series against the Lady Eagles of Coppin State.  HU completed an extensive out of conference schedule that began back on Feb. 6 in Atlanta, Ga. at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

Since that time, the Lady Bison have competed in tournaments at Gardner Webb, College of Charleston, Georgia Tech, University of Maryland and Hampton.  Head Coach Tonja Braxton believes that this rigorous out of conference schedule has put her team in a better position to re-claim the 2009 MEAC Championship trophy and helps position the team for NCAA Regionals. 

"I really feel like you do your team a disservice not seeing better pitching most of the year," Braxton said. "We have played well and right with most of the teams we've seen and we've gotten some big wins for the program. The College of Charleston, Indiana State, Mercer, University of Buffalo and Delaware are all good teams. And there have been a lot of the games that we played well enough to win but didn't....Akron, Fordham, Georgia State and Maryland...again, all good teams."

Braxton describes this year's Lady Bison squad as one of the most talented teams she has ever had, if not the best.

"We have a very talented group, but we're also very young," Braxton explained. "We have some younger players that have really stepped in and made an immediate impact for us. We've asked these young players to grow up quickly in the game and by and large, I would say they have responded well." 

"Where we have been challenged is getting some of our upperclassmen to really step up and make their presence felt on and off the field," Braxton added. "Everyone has to understand their role and they have to take their assignments seriously and commit to getting it done." 

Some of the returning players and transfers have had to assume new roles, adding additional pressure on them.  Courtney Young, the 2008 MEAC Player of the Year, moved from the outfield to the designated hitter position. She continues to prove to be the team's biggest offensive threat batting a blistering .381. 

Emily Johnson, another All-MEAC performer from last year, has had to spend some of her playing time in the outfield and on the mound as well as third base.  Christina McCoy and Carly Martin have both recently emerged as legitimate co-aces of this Bison team.

Catcher Nicole Saez, who had become the primary predecessor to two-time All-Conference performer Kristina Cordova, will now move to third base after Jennifer Bien-Aime, senior first baseman, sustained a knee injury at the Lady Pirates Classic. Saez has turned it on offensively and is batting .301.  

As for those talented freshman who have had to grow up quickly....they are collectively batting .303 with centerfielder Lorae Robinson leading the way batting .364, followed by shortstop Rebecca Kirshner .349, outfielder Ciera Gordon .313, second baseman Trina Kindred at .279, and outfielder/pitcher Morgan Plowden at .214.

With such an early and intensive travel schedule, the team also has the added pressure of maintaining their grades.  The team maintains a target team GPA of 3.0, which Braxton describes best as "non-negotiable". 

"We have to be able to do both sides of the job....in the classroom and on the field," Braxton said. "That's what they're here for, to get an education, and softball is just the vehicle that allows them to do that." 

Braxton believes that the remaining 25 games are the most important games of the season. In the coming weeks they will face all of their MEAC divisional rivals, Coppin State, Delaware State, Hampton, Morgan State and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  This is where we will see if the method to the madness pays off, and how much we've grown up in 29 games.  The Head Coach, says she feels good about this weekend's games. 

"Randazzo is a magical park for us...it's where we won our the MEAC Championship in 2007. Maybe this is what we need; to go out there and recapture some of that energy," said Braxton. "It took our entire team to win that title in 2007 and everyone knew their roles and assignments. They played together unselfishly and they played as one team as opposed to playing separately as 14 individuals. In the 29 games we've played, it's already clear that we need all 16 of us to win."

Game time against against CSU begins at 11am on Saturday and Sunday.  Randazzo Park is located on Upton Road in Severn, Md.  Directions can be found on the Coppin State website on the athletics page under facilities.