Howard Splits Doubleheader with Delaware State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard softball team hosted their first home games of the season featuring a doubleheader against Delaware State. The Lady Bison (9-16, 1-1 MEAC) split the two games, claiming a 6-1 win following their 4-1 loss to DSU (18-10, 1-1).

Eight HU players accounted for the team’s 11 hits, as Emily Johnson led the way with three. Johnson who had one of her best days at the plate, was coming off one of her best days in the pitcher’s circle as she notched a team high 10 strikeouts against Bowie State two games earlier. Shortstop Rebecca Kirshner also chimed in with a pair of hits in the win.

Kirshner got things going for the Lady Bison in the bottom of the second with a leadoff single. Johnson immediately followed with a single of her own. Freshman Brittany Baker brought Kirshner home on an RBI single. Barker later scored in the inning on a single by Andascha Moore.

The Lady Bison posted four more runs in the fourth inning after posting five hits. Trina Kindred started another rally within the lineup with a one-out single. Christine Sborz and Lorae Robinson followed Kindred with singles of their own. Robinson’s single would load the bases and Marisa Coats walked, giving Howard their first run of the inning. Kirshner grounded out to third, allowing Sborz to score from third. Johnson and Ciera Gordon posted back-to-back RBI singles, bringing home Robinson and Coats, respectively.

Carly Martin was awarded the win and pitched all seven innings. She struck out two, walked one and allowed seven hits.

In the previous game, Howard and Delaware State evened one another in hits with eight a piece. HU pitcher Samantha Gatson gave up two back-to-back walks to start the third inning, giving DSU room to produce two runs off two hits in the inning.

Howard surrendered two additional runs in the fifth inning after Jordan Reid of DSU reached first on a fielding error and returned home following a homer by Andrea Waters.

The Lady Bison scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Coats leadoff with a double and two batters later Johnson doubled to bring Coats home.

Gatson was credited with the loss and recorded one strikeout, two walks and gave up eight hits. For more information on the Howard softball team, visit howard-bison.com.

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University


Videographer: iamcaprikorn; Howard University ShowTime Marching Band - "Skin Im In"