Bethune-Cookman Ends Howard's Run for MEAC Title

ORMOND BEACH, FL. – Bethune Cookman ended Howard’s run for the MEAC title in the semi-final game of the conference tournament. The Bison moved passed Florida A&M 7-0, and Coppin State 1-0 in 10 innings just a few hours prior to facing the defending champions. In all, HU played a total of 22 innings of softball on Friday.

Howard 7, Florida A&M 0 BoxScore
Howard defeated Florida A&, 7-0, in the in the double-elimination bracket of the tournament.

The Lady Bison posted nine hits each, including Marisa Coats' three run home run in the top of the fifth inning. Coats hit a fastball from Florida A&M's Lindsey out the park to left center, to put the game away. Rebecca Kirshner and Lorae Robinson also collected two hits apiece for the Lady Bison.

The Lady Rattlers never could organize a rally as they only mustered three hits off of Howard's Samantha Gatson (8-7).

Christina Robbs, Jennifer Lindsey and Erika Garcia registered hits for the Lady Rattlers in the loss. Whitney Robinson (15-11) took the loss for the Lady Rattlers, giving up three runs and three hits in three and one-third innings. Jennifer Lindsey came on in relief for two and two-thirds innings.

Gatson, went the distance for Howard. She gave up only three hits, while striking out six and walking one.


Videographer: HowardBands; Howard University Concert Band performed "Dakota Fanfare at the Historic Shiloh Baptist Church (May 2, 2011).

Howard 1, Coppin St. 0 – 10 innings BoxScore
Rebecca Kirshner singled in the winning run in the top of the 10th inning and Carly Martin outdueled Paige Arnold as Howard defeated Coppin State 1-0 in three extra frames.

The loss eliminated the Eagles from the tournament.

Arnold held the Bison without a run for nine innings before finally allowing a run in the 10th inning. The run scored by Howard snapped a 23-inning scoreless streak by Arnold.

Martin matched Arnold pitch for pitch as she held the Eagles to just four hits while striking out six batters. With one out, Lorae Robinson drew a walk to begin the Howard rally. She advanced to third base when Marisa Coats singled to right field. Kirshner then lofted a single to left that scored Robinson with the game's only run. The Eagles tried to rally in the bottom of the 10th inning, but came up short.

Tiffani Whaley singled with one out and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Erica Washington, but Martin induced a groundout to end the game.

The defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman Wildcats eliminated Howard Friday evening in the double-elimination bracket of the MEAC Softball Championship tournament.


Videographer: SirCookeMusic; Howard University Gospel Choir-- "Total Praise" (May 6, 2011)

Bethune Cookman 17, Howard 0 BoxScore

A 2-1 loss to Delaware State earlier in the day sent the Wildcats to the loser's bracket, but B-CU came back and blasted the Bison 17-0 after a three-hour lightning delay to earn a rematch with Delaware State Saturday at 1 p.m. B-CU needs to win that game and a second game at 3:30 p.m. to defend their conference championship title.

Against Howard, B-CU (31-24) scored 13 runs in the second inning as Aurelia Gamch drove in four runs and Kelsey Rodney added three. The Wildcats sent 17 batters to the plate in the inning.

Ashton Hinds drove in three runs while Allison Garcia threw a six-hit shutout for B-CU in the Howard win.

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations
Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information

VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

VISIT: HOWARDBISON

Johnson Homers Twice and Pitches One-Hitter in Howard's Final Home Series

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senior Emily Johnson led the Howard softball team in their series opener against Maryland Eastern Shore, knocking out two home runs and holding UMES (7-39, 2-12 MEAC) to one hit to land HU (16-24, 7-7 MEAC) the 9-1 win.

Johnson opened and closed the first game with a home run and went 3-for-4 at the plate and tallied 3 RBI. Shortstop Rebecca Kirshner also came up big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3.

Kirshner also tacked on 3 RBI of her own in HU’s game-defining third inning on a triple, where she scored Johnson, centerfielder Lorae Robinson – both of which reached base on bunt singles – as well as Marisa Coats. Prior to Kirshner’s triple, second baseman Trina Kindred led off the inning with a double and scored on Johnson’s bunt. Kirshner and Ciera Gordon scored the final two runs of the six-run inning.

After being on pace to landing her first no-hitter of the season, UMES spoiled Johnson’s run on the mound with their first hit of the game in the fifth inning. In the same inning, UMES scored their lone run of the game on the single, error and a wild pitch.

In all, Johnson finished the opening game with six strikeouts allowed one hit, one run and zero walks in her 5.2 innings of work.

In game two, Robinson got Howard on the board first with a grand slam, putting the Lady Bison up 4-0 in the second inning. Robinson’s grand slam came in back-to-back series as she blasted one last weekend against Morgan State. Robinson went on to notch two additional hits in the remainder of the game.

Despite leading UMES four runs, the Lady Bison spent the rest of the game playing catch up to their MEAC opponent after allowing eight runs in the third inning. The Lady Bison rallied two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth, but were unable to overcome UMES’s lead. Howard came up one run short as they dropped the game, 9-8.

Seniors Carly Martin and Johnson split the mound and each allowed five hits. Martin walked one, struck out two and was credited with the loss. Johnson struck out three batters and gave up two runs in her four innings in the circle.

Freshman Brittany Barker, senior Christine Sborz and Kirshner were notable performers at the plate in the loss, posting a two hits a piece.

The Lady Bison softball team will look to take the series against the Lady Hawks tomorrow at noon in their final game of the season. Visit www.howard-bison.com for more information on the Howard softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON

Howard University Softball Salutes Senior Class

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, May 7 the Howard softball team will honor four of their graduating seniors in the team’s season finale against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent Maryland-Eastern Shore. Playing in their final home game of their career are seniors Jessica Hurston, Emily Johnson, Carly Martin and Christine Sborz.

Jessica Hurston (Pitcher, Wallingford, Conn., Mark T. Sheean H.S.)
Despite sitting out her senior season as a result of injury, Hurston has posted a colorful career as a member of the Howard softball team. In her freshman year she made 14 appearances on the mound and started in half of those appearances. She posted a 4-2 record in her first year with the Bison and garnered a save. Also in her first year, she posted a career-best of 29 strikeouts and by the end of her junior season she tallied 62 in total. Entering into her senior season she generated a 13-13 record, pitched 147.0 innings and garnered 19 starts in the circle. At the plate Hurston recorded a 0.393 career batting average, and recorded another career best in her freshman year with a .500 batting average in her 20 games of play.

Emily Johnson (Pitcher/OF, Jacksonville, Fla., Paxon School for Advanced Studies)
Entering into her final season with the Lady Bison, Johnson recorded 99 hits, 61 RBI, successfully stole 17-of-21 bases, scored 81 runs and boasted a 0.314 batting average. In her first three seasons she tallied 16 doubles, four triples and 11 home runs. Her junior year proved to be a breakout season in the pitcher’s circle as she delivered a 2.77 ERA, posted a career-high of three saves, which ranked her No. 28 in the nation, and won 7-of-10 games that she started. In that year she pitched 96 innings and struck out 110 batters. During her senior year Johnson has been stellar at the plate and on the mound as she struck out the most batters in a game for the Lady Bison this season with 10 against Bowie State (March 30, 2011) and is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, marking the longest streak of the year for the Bison. In her last year she led the Howard in batting average (.415), slugging percentage (.732), on base percentage (.468), triples (2), homers (5), walks (10), and also in pitching with ERA (4.99) and batters struck out (60).

Carly Martin (Pitcher/OF, Hanover, Md., Seton Keough H.S.)
As one of Howard’s leaders on the mound, Martin started in 49 games, made 74 appearances, and produced 23 wins throughout her career. Martin’s senior season came with many successes, notably when she recorded a 0.00 ERA and struck out three batters in HU’s 6-0 win over George Mason, making her the first Bison to bring forth a shutout win in the 2010-11 season. Martin was also recognized as the MEAC Pitcher of the Week (April 4-April 10) for tallying a 1.00 ERA against Coppin State and she went on to tie a then-season-best of four strikeouts for the fourth time. A day later against Coppin State she broke her season-best in strikeouts and took down an astounding seven batters. To date the senior has totaled 164 strikeouts and leads the Bison with most wins this season with eight.

Christine Sborz (Catcher, McLean, Va., Bishop Ireton H.S./Brevard C.C.)
After transferring to Howard her junior year, Sborz has posted 55 runs, 34 RBI, 93 hits and generated an honorable .314 batting average. During her senior year she posted a remarkable 14 doubles – the most posted by a Bison this season – a triple and two homers. Her .326 batting average earned her the No. 5 ranking on the team and she is currently slated third on the team in hits this year with 43, and is ranked fourth on the team in slugging percentage (.492) and runs scored (19). Sborz also tabbed a season-high of three hits on two occasions, first against Bowie State on March 30, 2011 and again against George Mason on April 6, 2011. Currently, Sborz is third on the team with most games with multiple hits (12). As the anchor behind the plate, Sborz has posted a 98.3 fielding percentage, slating her second-best for the Bison in that category, and has also caught 10 runners stealing.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON

Howard Softball Taken Down by Morgan State, 15-9

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After sacking two wins in Saturday’s doubleheader over Morgan State, the Lady Bison looked to sweep their MEAC opponent in order to increase their chances of gaining a birth to the MEAC Championship Tournament, but fell short as the Bears took game three 15-9 at Banneker Field on Sunday afternoon.

In the first inning the Lady Bison surrendered seven runs to the Bears before responding with three runs when their turn at the plate arrived. Emily Johnson led off the game with a double and Lorae Robinson singled, pushing Johnson to third. Marisa Coats scored Johnson on a RBI groundout to second base and Rebecca Kirshner homered to bring home the remaining two runs.

After shutting out the Lady Bears in the second, Robinson tied the game at 7-7 with a grand slam. Prior to Robinson’s blast out of the park, Trina Kindred singled to left, Andascha Moore doubled and Johnson walked to fill the bases.

Ciera Gordon scored to give the Bison their first lead of the game on a sacrifice fly by Kindred.

Two errors and back-to-back doubles helped the Lady Bears regained the lead after scoring five runs. Responding first for the Lady Bison was Robinson who reached base on a bunt. Marisa Coats scored Robinson on a double to right field.

In the fifth Carly Martin entered the game to relieve Emily Johnson who gave up five unearned runs on six hits. Before leaving the circle she struck out two batters and relieved starting pitcher Samantha Gatson who gave up four hits and the first four runs of the game.
The Bears scored three times increasing their lead, 15-9.

Howard attempted to take the game in the bottom of the seventh, but fell short as Johnson grounded out to the short stop for the third out of the frame – leaving Moore on second base and Martin at third.

Johnson took the loss on the mound – giving up eight runs in four innings of work. Robinson lead the Lady Bison at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBI.

The Lady Bison will take on Maryland Eastern Shore for their regular-season finale and senior day on May 7.

Boxscore

By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
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VISIT: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
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Six Howard Bison Homer in Wins Over Morgan State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard softball team took down Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent Morgan State on Saturday’s doubleheader winning game one, 7-4, and game two, 13-5. Six members of the Lady Bison (15-22, 6-5 MEAC) blasted a home run in the doubleheader giving HU a pair of wins.

Christine Sborz was the first HU player to knock one out of the park, as she brought in three runs in the first inning, following an RBI single by Marisa Coats earlier in the inning, pushing Howard to a 4-0 lead.

Shortstop Rebecca Kirshner blasted the Bison’s second homer in the sixth inning. Kirshner went 2-for-4 in the opening game, scored three times and recorded two RBI.

MSU (14-23, 7-4 MEAC) got back on the board with three runs, courtesy of a single and a home run of their own at the top of the third, leaving them one run behind Howard. The Lady Bison however, never surrendered their lead, and immediately responded to the Bears in the bottom of the third with a run.

Samantha Gatson and Emily Johnson split the mound as Gatson recorded the win while Johnson garnered the save. Gatson pitched the first three innings and allowed four hits, three runs and struck out one. Johnson pitched the remaining four innings, allowed three hits, one run and struck out six batters. Neither pitcher surrendered a walk.

In game two, Howard posted four homers and doubled the Bears in hits, 12-6. The Lady Bison got off to another big lead with four runs in the bottom of the first on four hits. Center fielder Lorae Robinson got on base first with a bunt single and went on to steal second. Coats doubled to bring Robinson home, and scored herself following a single by Kirshner. Immediately following Kirshner was Ciera Gordon who posted Howard’s third homer of the day.


Videographer: Howardgospelchoir; The Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University sings "Thank You, Lord" during the Release Tour (Spring Break 2011 Tour) at the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church (Atlanta, GA). Soloist: LaJoyce Denson

In the second inning, Morgan State responded with three runs along with their first homer of the game. Howard was silenced in the second when it was their turn at the plate, but went on to score runs in each of the remaining four frames.

In the third inning both Trina Kindred and Johnson blasted home runs and Coats followed suit in the bottom of the sixth to end the game and give HU their second win of the day.

Martin was given the win as she struck out two, allowed two runs and two hits. Johnson who started off the game, also struck out two and gave up three runs and four hits.

The Lady Bison softball team will look to sweep Morgan State tomorrow when the teams face off at noon in hopes of securing a spot to the MEAC Championship tournament in Daytona, Fla. Visit www.howard-bison.com for more updates on the Howard softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON
VISIT: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: MSUBEARS

Howard Lady Bison Split Doubleheader with Hampton

HAMPTON, VA. – The Lady Bison softball team faced off against MEAC rival Hampton and traded wins in the doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. Howard (13-22, 4-4 MEAC) dropped a close game to Hampton (11-26, 4-4 MEAC) in game one, 9-7, but stole the second game, to beat the Lady Pirates, 6-1.

In the first game Howard got off to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and scored another duo of runs in the third. Hampton caught up with the Lady Bison and grossed four runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game.

Howard bolted three runs in the fifth courtesy of Samantha Gatson who ignited a 3-run homer. The Lady Pirates matched Howard again with a home run of their own that brought in two runs and scored their third run of the inning on a wild pitch.

Gatson took over the pitching reigns following the Pirate homer from Carly Martin. Martin – the reigning MEAC Pitcher of the Week – struck out four batters, walked two and allowed ten hits before leaving the game.

Howard remained scoreless the remainder of the game, helping Hampton to secure the win following their two runs scored in the bottom of the sixth.

Gatson struck out two batters, walked one and kept the Pirates hitless. Meanwhile at the plate, Rebecca Kirshner led the Bison with three hits.

Game two proved to hold a different atmosphere as Emily Johnson set the tone of the game with a leadoff home run. The Lady Bison went on to outhit Hampton 11-2.

Johnson finished the game with the most hits (3) while Marissa Coats and Christine Sborz added two hits each. Coats led the team with four RBI.

Gatson made her second appearance of the day, striking out three batters and allowed one walk.
The Howard softball team will resume play on April 30 and will play host to MEAC opponent Morgan State. Visit www.howard-bison.com for more updates on the Lady Bison softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON

Howard U's Carly Martin Named MEAC Pitcher of the Week

Senior Pitcher Carly Martin
Click Here to Read Carly's Article,
"My Life as an Athlete: The Minority Experience"

NORFOLK, VA. – Senior pitcher Carly Martin of the Howard softball team was selected as the Pitcher of the Week (April 4-April 10) while Delaware State’s Jordan Reid and Stephanie Martello were named Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively. Junior Trina Kindred also represented HU as she was recognized as a Top Performer of the Week.

Martin went 1-0 over the course of the week and was recognized for her performance over Coppin State, where she led the Lady Bison to a 3-1 defeat over their conference opponent.

The senior tallied a 1.00 ERA against Coppin State and pitched a full seven innings. Martin went on to strike out four batters, tying a season-best, and marked the fourth time she reached this benchmark. The last time Martin took out four batters came on March 12 against Creighton.

Martin allowed seven hits and walked one batter against her opponent. Martin’s single walk tied another season-best and marked her fifth consecutive appearance where she gave up only one walk.

Martin has improved to 6-4 on the season, holds a 5.26 ERA and has struck out 29 batters thus far in the 2010-11 season.

Also making large production for the Lady Bison over the course of the week was Kindred who went 7-of-15 from the plate (.467) and boasted four RBI and a double in HU’s five games played.
Kindred’s four RBI came in Howard’s 8-5 win over George Mason, marking a season-best for the second baseman.

The Lady Bison have two remaining games in the regular season – against conference opponents Morgan State on April 30 and Maryland Eastern Shore on May 7 – before they depart to Daytona, Fla. for the MEAC Championship Tournament on May 12.


Videographer: HUReaction; Mr.& Miss Howard University Pageant 2011(4/8/11).

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
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HU Bison Softball Drop To DSU In Final Inning

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After maintaining the lead for the entire game, the Howard softball team lost grip of the win as they allowed three runs in the final inning, giving Delaware State the 3-4 victory on Thursday afternoon. The game was rescheduled after a threat of bad weather on April 4 and followed a doubleheader split where both teams recorded a win.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third where the Lady Bison (10-20, 1-2 MEAC) posted a 2-0 lead following hits by Trina Kindred, Christine Sborz and Lorae Robinson and two DSU errors. Delaware State (19-10, 2-1 MEAC) responded with a run in the fourth as Casey Beighley launched a solo homerun.

Rebecca Kirshner immediately rallied back and homered in the bottom of the fifth inning bringing HU up, 3-1. The homerun marked her second of the season, tying her with Emily Johnson for most homers on the team this season.

Two Bison errors in the seventh coupled with four hits by the Lady Hornets caused a three-run rally that allowed Delaware State to steal the game. Howard was shutout at the plate in their final turn at bat, giving Delaware State the 2-1 advantage in the series.

Johnson pitched the majority of the game, but traded spots with Samantha Gatson with two outs in the seventh. Gatson was able to land a strikeout to end the inning, but it came after a Delaware State RBI double. Prior to being relieved, Johnson recorded two strikeouts, three walks and allowed five hits.

Kirshner, Kindred and Robison led the Lady Bison with two hits each. The trio currently leads the team at the plate, averaging .352, .341, and .317, respectively.

The Lady Bison softball team will look to bounce back from their loss as they travel to meet Coppin State on April 9. Visit www.howard-bison.com for more information on Howard softball.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

HU Lady Bison Softball Split Two With George Mason

FAIRFAX, VA. – The Howard softball team returned to the field after a postponed meeting with Delaware State due to weather to face off against George Mason in a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Lady Bison (10-17) split the two games, taking a 3-1 win after suffering a 6-2 loss.

The last time the two teams met was on March 20 at the Cherry Blossom Classic where the Lady Bison gained their first shutout win of the season, taking down the Patriots (11-17) 6-0. This time around GMU would be the team to turn out six runs however, as the Patriots doubled Howard in hits with eight in the first game.

HU nabbed their lone pair of runs in the fifth inning after freshman Brittany Barker opened with an infield single to shortstop. Andascha Moore reached first on a fielder’s choice and went on to steal second. Trina Kindred singled to left, advancing Moore to third. Upon the throw to third base Kindred cruised to second. After Christine Sborz walked to load the bases, Lorae Robinson reached first on a fielder’s choice as Moore was called out at the plate. Marissa Coats launched a single to center that scored Sborz and Kindred and tied the game at two a piece.

After Howard put in work to even off the game, George Mason produced two additional runs in the bottom of the fifth and scored two more in the sixth. Pitcher Ashley Turner was called in to relieve Emily Johnson in the fifth after she gave up a double and inside the park homer. Johnson allowed four runs and five hits in 4.1 innings and managed to strike out six. Turner gave up three hits and two runs.

In game two Howard dominated at the plate and tallied 16 hits compared to George Mason’s five. Howard rallied five hits in the top of the first and racked in two runs. The Bison shutout GMU until the fifth and sixth inning where the Patriots scored two runs in both innings.

Howard secured the game with three runs in the seventh inning. Rebecca Kirshner opened the final inning with a double down the left field line and eventually advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Johnson. Kindred brought in two runs on a single to right field with two outs, bringing home Kirshner and Barker who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. Sborz brought in the final run of the game after she singled to center.

GMU managed to deliver a final run, but were unable to break Howard’s three-run lead. Kindred led the Lady Bison with four RBI and batted .750 at the plate (3-for-4). Sborz also tallied three hits, joining her seven teammates who tallied a hit during the game.

Samantha Gatson pitched the entire game and recorded seven strikeouts.

Up next the Lady Bison will face off against Delaware State for their rescheduled matchup at noon at home. Visit http://www.howard-bison.com/ for more information on the Howard softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant

VISIT:  Howard University
VISIT:  HOWARDBISON.COM

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"

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

Kirshner Leads HU Offense At Cherry Blossom Classic

FAIRFAX, VA. – The Howard softball team left with three wins at the Cherry Blossom Classic on March 18-20, defeating Monmouth, Albany (N.Y.), and tournament host George Mason. Leading the Lady Bison (6-15) at the plate was shortstop Rebecca Kirshner who recorded nine of Howard’s 49 total hits over the span of the weekend.

Kirshner’s breakout performance came in HU’s third game against Albany (1-9) on Saturday afternoon where she tallied four hits, including back-to-back doubles in the first and second innings.

Against Albany, Howard recorded their most hits in the tournament with 15. Behind Kirshner was second baseman Trina Kindred with three hits, and Ciera Gordon, Lorae Robinson and Christine Sborz with two hits a piece.

Pitchers Samantha Gatson and Emily Johnson shared the mound. Gatson tallied six strikeouts in her four innings of work. Johnson shutout Albany for the remainder of the game, giving Howard the 8-1 win.

Prior to meeting Albany, Howard split games with Monmouth (9-10) and Cornell. Against Momouth the Lady Bison escalated to a 2-0 lead by the end of the third inning following scattered hits and Monmouth errors. In the third inning Kirshner blasted a homer beyond left field, racking in two RBI for the Bison. Monmouth would post two unearned runs in the bottom of the third and fifth innings to advance the score, 4-2.

In the sixth, Howard popped open four hits and gained their fifth run of the game. Monmouth failed to catch up with Howard and only managed to score one run in the seventh, ending the game with 5-3 win for the Lady Bison.

Against Cornell (5-6), Howard fell, 2-4. Despite opening up the game on the board first with one run, Cornell responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, and scored another in the second and fifth. HU mustered another run in the fourth inning after Kirshner kicked off with a leadoff double. Brittany Barker immediately followed with a single, advancing Kirshner to third who scored on the next play when Gordon flied out to center.

The Lady Bison were outhit 4-8 and struck out six times. Howard had another shot at Cornell on Sunday, but were unable to catch up with their opponent at the plate as they were outhit 3-10 in the 1-5 loss.

Howard finished the tournament with a 6-0 win over tournament host George Mason (9-9), marking their first shutout win of the season.

Carly Martin took control in the circle and pitched all seven innings and notched three strikeouts and allowed six hits and only one walk. Howard played solid defense and produced zero errors against GMU. At the plate Marisa Coats, Robinson and Kirshner rolled in with two hits and one RBI a piece.

Up next, the Howard softball team will prepare to take on Bowie State on Wednesday, March 30 in the nation’s capital and then into conference play immediately after. For more information on the HU softball, visit howard-bison.com.

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison athletics

Howard Softball Suffers Tough Weekend at Diamond Devil Invitational

TEMPE, AZ  (March 14, 2011) – The Howard University softball team underwent a tough weekend, as they dropped five games at the Diamond Devil Tournament. The Bison suffered losses to Florida Gulf Coast, No. 7 Arizona State, Creighton, Campbell and Virginia Tech. With the weekend skid, Howard slides to 3-13 on the season.

The Bison faced off against tournament hosts No. 7 Arizona State on Friday, in its first game of the weekend slate. HU dug an early hole – giving up six runs in the opening inning. The Bison answered in the bottom half of the frame when Lorae Robinson rounded the bases to put Howard on the scoreboard. ASU proved to be too much for the Bison as they pushed the margin to 11-1 after two complete innings. The Sun Devils recorded two more runs in the fourth for the 13-1 final.

Carly Martin and Samantha Gatson combined for a total of four strikeouts against the nationally-ranked powerhouse.

Following the tough loss, the Bison played Florida Gulf Coast (11-15) for its first of a trio of Saturday games. Howard recorded two runs on three hits to take a quick 2-0 advantage over the Eagles in the top of the first. Christine Sborz led off with a double to left field before a Robinson single to the same side put runners on first and third. Robinson stole second and a sacrifice fly by Marissa Coats drove in Sborz. A ground out to second moved Robinson to the corner and then was knocked in by a Candace Rogers single.

Howard held FGCU scoreless until the bottom of the third when the Eagles scored three runs to take a slim 3-2 advantage. The Bison were unable to regain the lead as HU was only able to manage two hits over the next four innings.

Samantha Gatson took the loss on the mound – pitching a complete game – allowing just three hits while fanning seven batters.

In the second game, the Bison took an 8-0 shutout loss to Creighton (9-12). The Bluejays exploded for six runs in the bottom the second to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Rogers and Sborz notched the only hits for Howard, as the Bison were held scoreless for the fifth time this season.

For the final matchup of the day against Campbell (10-12), Sborz homered to lead off the game – her first of the season. A wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Robinson to score from third to give the Bison a quick 2-0 lead heading into the bottom frame.

The Camels tied the game in the second. Pinch runner Katie Andrews scampered home with the team's first run, and then Katie Hinton walked to drive in Sarah Forgacs from third with the second run.

The Bison promptly took the lead back in the third inning. Coats walked, moved to second on a fielder's choice and third on the overthrow by the CU pitcher on the play. A wild pitch on the next pitch allowed Coats to score the team's third run. The Camels erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the frame and didn’t look back.

The Bison added an unearned run in the top of the second as Sborz drew a one-out walk and dashed all the way around the bases on the single by Robinson and throwing error from the CU first baseman. The Camels kept the offensive show with five more runs in the fourth for the 15-4 final.

Howard wrapped up play at the Diamond Devil Invitational by dropping a 5-1 decision to Virginia Tech on Sunday. Robinson rounded the bases was knocked in on a Coats double to right center to give the Bison their only run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Sborz saw her seven-game hit streak snapped as she was unable to connect her bat the entire game.

Howard softball now shifts its focus to the Cherry Blossom Classic hosted by George Mason from March 18-20.

By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison.com

HU Softball Falls to No. 19/20 Texas Tech and Dayton Flyers

Lubbock, Texas  -  The Howard softball team suffered a tough weekend in Lubbock, Texas after taking losses from Dayton and No. 19/20 Texas Tech in the Red Raider Classic.

The Bison (3-8) met tournament hosts Texas Tech (22-0) three times throughout the weekend. Howard opened the Classic with a 8-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Red Raiders. Christine Sborz was the only member of the Bison to muster a hit against Texas Tech’s Kelsey Dennis and started off the game with a leadoff double.

On the mound for Howard was Carly Martin who allowed eight earned runs on eight hits and five walks. Martin was unable to deliver a strikeout against the nationally-ranked powerhouse throughout the game.

In their second meeting, Howard took another shutout loss, 10-0. Sborz finished the game with another hit while Ciera Gordon, Andascha Moore and Candace Rogers also posted hits.
Samantha Gatson pitched four innings and gave up ten hits on eight earned runs, walking six and striking out none. The loss was her first on the season.

In the final face off in their trio of games, Howard took another heavy loss to the Red Raiders on Sunday, wrapping up the weekend with a 7-1 loss. Despite losing the game, Howard ended Tech’s five game-shutout streak and held them to their fewest runs scored since Feb. 25, 2011.

Video Highlights: Click Here                     

Box Score

Howard’s run also ended Tech’s newly established record of most consecutive innings without allowing a run as Brittany Barker delivered a RBI single with bases loaded, giving the Bison an early 1-0 lead. Barker finished the game with two hits, and was the only Bison to land more than one hit against Tech over the span of the weekend.

Sborz sacked her third hit of the Classic in their final game against Tech. Sborz has now posted at least one hit in six of the Bison’s eight games this season. She is now on a four-game hitting streak. Marisa Coats also added with a hit of her own while Andascha scored Howard’s sole run.

The lead would diminish quickly after the Red Raiders cracked the game wide open with a three-run homer giving them a comfortable 5-1 lead. Emily Johnson took her fourth loss of the season after giving up six runs, in which three came from seven hits spanning four innings.

In between Howard’s match ups with Texas Tech, the Bison took on Dayton (7-7) in a duo of games. On Friday Howard scored three runs against Dayton and were led by Lorae Robinson who posted two hits. Eight members of the Bison recorded hits in the 10-3 loss.

Johnson and Gatson shared the mound, while Johnson was given the loss. Johnson pitched 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on six hits and three walks, including three homers. She did manage however, to blast four strikeouts. Gatson came in for an inning and gave up two hits, four runs and a walk.

On Saturday, Howard dropped again to Dayton, but posted six hits in the 7-1 loss. Gordon posted two hits, while three other members of the Lady Bison posted a hit. Martin took the loss in the circle after giving up seven earned runs on seven hits and five walks. She equaled Gatson, posting a tournament best, four strikeouts against the Flyers.

Up next the Bison will travel to Tempe, Ariz. on March 11-13 for the Diamond Devil Invitational. Visit Howard-Bison.com for further updates on the Howard softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
VISIT: howard-bison.com

Howard University Softball Scoop Three Straight Wins

Howard University Head Coach Lauren McCoy

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Howard softball team won three of their four games this past weekend at the Campus Suites Spartan Classic hosted by South Carolina-Upstate, recording three consecutive wins over LaSalle, Oakland and Lafayette following a loss to the tournament hosts.

The Bison (3-3) opened up the tournament against an undefeated USC Upstate team (16-0) where they shutout HU, 2-0. On the mound for the Bison was Emily Johnson who gave up a homer in the third and RBI walk in the sixth.

Marisa Coats was the only Bison to record any hits against USC Upstate. Coats finished with two hits in the shutout loss, notching a double and a single.

Following the 2-0 loss, Howard rebounded in an explosive way to post their first win of the season against LaSalle (1-3), outscoring the Explorers, 9-1.

In the hitting frenzy the team notched a season high of 15 hits in the six-inning game and limited LaSalle to only five. Leading the way for the Bison at the plate was shortstop Rebecca Kirshner and Ciera Gordon with three hits, two runs and RBI a piece. Gordon would go on to complete the tournament with most hits for the Bison with seven.

Christine Sborz got things started for Howard with a lead-off double in the bottom of the first inning. She made it back across the plate to give HU the 1-0 lead after Kirshner singled to left center field.

Howard went on to score in every inning, excluding the fourth, and finished the final inning with four runs and four hits. Carly Martin received her first win of the season and struck out four and walked only two batters.

Following their dominating performance against LaSalle, Howard swept Oakland (4-8), 4-3 and then Lafayette (0-4), 8-2. Both Martin and Johnson split the mound against Lafayette. Martin gave up four hits through four innings while Johnson gave up three hits through three innings and both gave up a run a piece.

Against Oakland Samantha Gatson remained in the pitcher’s circle all seven innings. Gatson gave up eight hits, but a solid Bison defense coupled with Gatson’s four strikeouts would contain Oakland’s offense to three runs and secure HU’s third straight win.

The Bison will look to remain hot and extend their winning streak to four games when they travel to Lubbick, Tex. March 4-6 for the Texas Tech Invitational.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison.com