Barker, Robinson Lead HU to Best Offensive Performance

BOWIE, MD. -- The Howard softball team extended their winning streak to three games on Wednesday afternoon after racking in a pair of victories against Bowie State. The Lady Bison (8-17) outscored their opponent 25-3 and achieved their largest and second-largest margin of victory of the season thanks in large part to freshman Brittany Barker and junior Lorae Robinson.

Both Barker and Robinson tallied five runs a piece against the Lady Bulldogs (11-12). Barker batted .833 (5-of-6) and tallied three RBI while Robinson averaged .625 (5-of-8) and brought in two runs.

Robinson got her first hit against Bowie State with an infield single following Christine Sborz’s leadoff double in the first. Both Sborz and Robinson would return advance home following wild pitches and a fly out to center field.

The Lady Bison exploded in the second inning with eight runs, marking the most runs that HU has scored in a single inning thus far in the season. Samantha Gatson opened up a hitting frenzy for the Bison with a single through the left side, as Trina Kindred and Andascha Moore followed with singles of their own. Sborz tabbed an RBI with her second double and Robinson immediately followed with a double of her own to bring in two additional runs. Rebbecca Kirshner, Emily Johnson and Moore added singles in the monumental inning, and Ciera Gordon posted Howard’s third double, bringing in another run.

The Lady Bulldogs were able to hold Howard in the third, however Gatson lit up the scoreboard once again with a solo home run in the fourth.

Howard’s opening win in the doubleheader marked the team’s second shutout win of the season, coming a mere game after their 6-0 shutout win over George Mason in the Cherry Blossom Classic. The 13-0 victory was Howard’s largest margin of victory on the season, ousting their previous season best of eight runs coming in their 9-1 win over La Salle (Feb. 25, 2011).

Carly Martin and Gatson split the mound in the five-inning opener. Martin faced 11 batters and struck out three, walked one and surrendered a mere hit in her three innings of work. Gatson came in for the final two innings and gave up two hits and struck out two batters.

In the second game Emily Johnson took over the pitcher’s circle and struck out ten and walked only one batter. Johnson allowed three runs on nine hits, securing the 12-3 victory for the Bison.

Also securing the Bison’s second win of the day came from a strong offensive output in the sixth and final inning. Robinson leadoff with a bunt for a single and went on to steal second. Marisa Coats doubled to bring Robinson home. Barker launched a three-run homer to bring the Lady Bison up 11-3. HU sacked their 12th run of the game from Moore who scored on a wild pitch.

The Lady Bison will return to the nation’s capital to take on Delaware State in a double header on Saturday, April 2 beginning at 1 p.m. For more information on Howard’s softball team, visit www.Howard-Bison.com.


By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University