Howard Closes Out Regular Season With Pivotal Series vs UMES
Washington, DC—May 6--The Howard University women's softball team closes out the 2011 regular season with an important three-game set against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
The Bison (13-24 overall, 6-6 in the MEAC) will face the Hawks (6-38 overall, 1-11 in the MEAC) in a doubleheader on Saturday (1 pm and 3 pm) and concluding with a 12 noon single game on Sunday. All games will be played at Howard's home field at Banneker Stadium.
The Bison are currently in a three-way tie with Hampton and Coppin State for third place in the Northern Division of the MEAC. The top four teams from each division advance to the tournament, which gets underway next Thursday in Daytona Beach, FL.
Howard, the preseason favorite to win the Northern Division, could move up as high as the Number 2 seed. Delaware State (9-3) is in first place and Morgan State (8-4) is in second. If the Bison sweep the Hawks and Delaware State drop its final three games, they could end up in a tie for first, but the Hornets own the tie breaker having won two of three from Howard this season.
Morgan State, which plays Delaware State in this weekend's season finale, lost two of three from the Bison. Should they drop all three games or two of three from Delaware State, and Howard wins all three games, Howard would get the second seed.
Coppin State and Hampton face off against each other in a three-game set that could decide who makes the four-team field and who stays home.
There should be a special incentive for Howard and its four seniors, Carly Martin, Chrissy Sborz, Jessica Hurston and Emily Johnson, who will be playing their final home games in a Bison uniform.
