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

Bison Lead MEAC With Three Softball Honorees

NORFOLK, Va. -- Howard freshman outfielder Ashley Turner earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week honors in softball, the conference announced Monday.

Meanwhile Delaware State senior Janelle Lukens and teammate Casey Beighly garnered Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively. Howard represented the MEAC with most players honored during the week of March 14-20 with three, as shortstop Rebecca Kirshner and pitcher Carly Martin were also recognized by the conference.

Turner (OF, Fr.) aided the Lady Bison to a 3-2 mark last week. The rookie hit .333 from the field in a win over Monmouth and added an RBI, and two runs in 13 appearances.

Lukens (1B/C, 5-9, Sr., Williamsport, Pa.) tallied nine hits, while averaging a .643 from the plate in 14 at-bat appearances to aid the Lady Hornets to a 5-0 mark last week. The senior scored four RBI, one home run and two doubles for the Lady Hornets. Lukens also added two assists and 31 putouts defensively.

Beighly (P, 5-7,Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.) was undefeated with a 0.00 ERA including non-conference wins over North Carolina Central, Maryland Eastern Shore and Mount St. Mary's last week. She pitched a combined 16.0 innings and struck out 6 of the 53 batters faced. Beighly allowed just five hits in the three games and improved her record to 5-4 on the season.

Other Top Performers:

Kirshner tallied her first home run of the season in a 5-3 win over Monmouth. Kirshner accounted for nine of Howard's 49 hits, four of which came against Albany (N.Y.) where she posted two doubles in back-to-back innings.

Martin recorded a 0.00 ERA and struck out a three batters in a 6-0 win against George Mason. The shutout marked the first one of the season for the Lady Bison.

Ryanne Hill (NCAT) recorded three RBI and one home run while hitting .500 from the plate for the Lady Aggies.

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

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

Doty Commits to Florida A&M Lady Rattlers

Santa Fe College graduate Britany Doty will bring a big stick to the Rattlers softball team, with a .371 batting average.

Gainesville, FL - Britany Doty, a Tallahassee native and standout starting right fielder for the Saints, will attend and play for Florida A&M University beginning this Fall, SF Head Coach Chris Ahern announced today. "Britany did a great job for us on the field this year, stepping her game up even more from last season," said Ahern. "We are excited for her opportunity at FAMU."

Doty hit .371 on the season, with 15 doubles, two triples, six homeruns and 42 RBI in 54 games played this season, improving her batting average over .100 from the year before, earning First Team Mid-Florida Conference honors and was Second Team FCCAA All-State. She was not only successful on the field, but also in the classroom, earning FCCAA All-State and Mid-Florida Conference Academic Team honors in both of her years at Santa Fe.

Doty will join a FAMU team that finished the 2010 season with a 17-14 overall record and a 7-5 mark in the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rattlers, led by Veronica Wiggins in her 19th year as the head coach, won the MEAC in 2009 and competed in an NCAA Regional at the University of Florida.

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Chattanooga's Gordon Signs Florida A&M Softball Scholarship

Chariah Gordon of Chattanooga (Tennessee) School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) recently signed a college softball scholarship with Florida A&M University. Gordon is a multi-sport athlete at CSAS, most recently as a member of the basketball team that made it to the Class A semifinals at the state tournament in March.

Chariah's signing will make her the third athlete in the Gordon family to compete - concurrently - in collegiate sports. Chariah's sister Ciera plays softball for Howard University. Her brother Channing, a Baylor senior, will play football for Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. Since Florida A&M and Howard University are both members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Chariah and Ciera may have a chance to compete against other.

See full size image - Gordan with basketball

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Former MLB star Dave Parker visits FAMU‎

"The Cobra" Dave Parker was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion.

A larger than usual crowd waited at Rattler Field. They came for two reasons: To see former major-league great Dave Parker throw out the first pitch. Then to hopefully enjoy a competitive game between the Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman University softball teams. The Rattlers have dominated the past five meetings between the conference rivals. Rain, however, washed out the softball game Friday afternoon. Those who waited out a lengthy delay mingled with Parker, who is in town for the graduation of his daughter, Dorian, today. He didn't seem bothered by the delay, although it was the second one in his day.

His flight was late getting into Jacksonville, followed by a two-hour ride to Tallahassee. Waiting. It seems to be the story of Parker's life when it comes to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. For the past 13 years, since he has became eligible to be considered for induction into the HOF, Parker has yet to hear his name called. He often finds himself talking about it and Friday was no exception. There is no bitterness, Parker said, just confusion as he approaches his final year of eligibility before his only way of getting in would be through the Veterans Committee.

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HU sophomore hits four homers in one softball game

Four home runs would make a good month for many players. But for Hampton University shortstop Rebecca Magett, they came in one game -- not surprisingly, a school record. Magett, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Mich., enjoyed the best day of her softball career in Game 2 of a home doubleheader Friday. She capped it with a game-winning two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 10-9 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore.

Magett was 4-for-5 with four runs and five RBI, countering the five RBI produced by UMES catcher Ashley Johnson. HU overcame an 8-3 deficit. Hampton (13-21, 2-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) won the opener 9-1.Magett was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI, Nina Ferguson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Jada Jefferies pitched a four-hitter with six strikeouts and four walks.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies win A&T Invitational

GREENSBORO, N.C. – All the positive attributes people have come to associate with North Carolina A&T softball were on display during the three-day N.C. A&T Softball Invitational played at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex. Lillian Bullock hit for power. Yahamma White showcased her tremendous speed by constantly getting on base. Ryanne Hill produced runs, and pitchers Jennifer Luper and Sahsa Philpot were dominant. Throw in what was a career-best weekend for senior Bianca Alsobrook, and the start of the 2010 season has to be considered a success.

It all culminated in the Aggies 12-3 win over Appalachian State in the championship game of the invitational Sunday afternoon. After losing to the Mountaineers 3-0 on Friday, the Aggies (4-1) won four straight games to win the title. Senior Channing Statham, Alsobrook and Bullock had three RBIs apiece for the Aggies. Bullock hit her 30th career home run in the fourth, and White added three hits and scored a run. Junior Jennifer Luper earned the win on the mound by striking out six over six innings to improve to 2-1 on the season.

Alsobrook hit an impressive .571 (8-for-14) for the tournament with two doubles and four RBIs to earn all-tournament honors. White was also an all-tournament selection after securing eight hits and scoring six times over five games. Philpot was the only other all-tournament selection for N.C. A&T. Philpot went 2-0 and did not give up a run over 10 innings pitched in the tournament.

BOX SCORE vs. APPALACHIAN STATE

All Tournament Team
Inde Whitehurst, UMES
Jade Dudley, CSU
Sasha Philpot, A&T
Katie Boyd, ASU
Caitlin Wainright, ASU
Yahamma White, A&T
McKenzie Phillips, ASU
Travonna Byrd, HAM
Bianca Alsobrook, A&T

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FAMU softball MEAC champs

ORMOND BEACH — FAMU shortstop Melissa Oliphant was still approaching the ground ball hit by Celsey Tafoya when the three Rattlers outfielders began racing in. The second the throw to first base was caught for the final out, every FAMU player was on the mound celebrating with pitcher Amanda Reyes. Bethune-Cookman's players headed to their dugout with drooped shoulders after falling 9-1 in five innings Saturday afternoon in the MEAC championship game.

FAMU senior softball players from left are Rhianna Green, Alesha Wells and Nicole Terryn--2009 MEAC Champions

A lot of tears were shed — by the Rattlers and the Wildcats. FAMU's players wept for joy. For the first time since the 2006 season, the Rattlers captured a MEAC championship. "The young ladies have been poised and under control," said FAMU coach Veronica Wiggins, fighting back her emotions after the Rattlers secured her fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in 18 seasons. "They did a good job and worked hard. They were prepared."

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DSU softball coach signs new contract

DOVER -- Delaware State University softball coach Jeff Savage has signed a new contract through the 2010 season, athletic director Rick Costello announced Monday.he Hornets to the program's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship last spring and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Savage has a nine-year record of 256-222, including a 119-35 mark in MEAC regular-season games.

Jeff Savage at Delaware State

Year Overall MEAC Highlights

2000 17-30 8-6 First winning MEAC record since 1994
2001 22-22 12-4 School record for overall and MEAC wins
2002 29-22 20-1 MEAC North title; school record for overall and MEAC wins;
2003 26-28 14-6 MEAC North title; MEAC Tournament final three
MEAC Tournament final four
2004 41-22 17-3 MEAC North title; MEAC Tournament championship round;
school record for wins
2005 34-22 18-2 MEAC North title
2006 34-22 10-4 MEAC Tournament championship round
2007 24-29 10-4 MEAC Tournament final four
2008 29-25 10-5 MEAC Tournament championship

Totals 256-222 119-35

UH Cougars Shamblin Pitches Perfect Game In 9-0 Win Over Delaware State

HOUSTON - University of Houston senior Angel Shamblin pitched her second perfect game of the season to guide the Cougars to a 9-0 win over Delaware State in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Houston Softball Regional at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Houston (51-9), the No. 8 National Seed in the NCAA Championship, moved to 2-1 all-time in regional openers and 4-4 all-time in postseason play. Delaware State falls to 29-24 on the year.

Shamblin struck out 11 batters en route to the third perfect game of her career. She improves to 33-3 on the season with 17 shutouts.

The Cougar offense put up six runs in the second inning. Freshman Baillie Lott scored the first Houston run after reaching base on a walk. Junior Katie Bush hit her fourth double this season, scoring junior Jessica Valis.

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DSU Hornets Softball sweeps MEAC Tournament; Awaits NCAAs

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

Ormond Beach, FL - Brittney Ruark tossed a two-hit shutout and Aisha Holloman smacked a three-run homer in the fourth inning to lift Delaware State to a 3-0 win over Norfolk State, and give the Hornets their first MEAC Softball Championship this afternoon in Ormond Beach, Fla. Delaware State completed a four-game tournament sweep to capture the 2008 MEAC title and the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

“This is such a thrill for the team and the university,” said Delaware State’s Jeff Savage, who was named Most Outstanding Tournament Coach. “We had an up-and-down regular season, but things really came together during the tournament. Our pitching was great and we got timely hits all weekend. These girls worked so hard to reach this point, and I am so proud of them.”

In the title clinching contest, Ruark allowed just...

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HU wins nationally televised softball game during sweep

In softball Wednesday, Hampton University swept host Norfolk State 5-4 and 10-7 on a day in which Game 1 was televised nationally on ESPNU.

Game 1 winner Amanda Black pitched a complete game and went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI for HU (28-15), which scored the winning run on a throwing error in the sixth inning. HU's Angela Balser was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

In Game 2, HU had several offensive contributors and overcame a 5-2 deficit with a five-run fifth. Poquoson's Evelyn Garcia was 1-for-2 with a run and two RBI, Britta Davis was 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, and Tiffa Brents was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.

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Norfolk State signs Casey Pomeroy to NLI

Norfolk State University has signed to a national letter of intent a star softball pitcher and second baseman in Casey Pomeroy, Fallon High School, Fallon, Nevada.

Pomeroy has been a pitcher and second baseman for the Greenwave softball for the last four years. She plans to major in kinesiotherapy at Norfolk State. She's the fourth Greenwave softball player to sign with a Division I school in the last four years. "I'm excited," Pomeroy said. "I'll pitch and play outfield and fill in wherever they need me."

There were several colleges interested in Pomeroy, including the College of Idaho and Boise State.

Video: Casey Pomeroy


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Delaware State set to open softball season in North Carolina

DOVER -- The Delaware State softball team opens the season with doubleheaders at Winston-Salem State on Saturday and North Carolina Central on Sunday.

The Hornets finished 24-29 and reached the semifinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament last season. Top returnees include junior Megan Lambertz, who hit .318 with 26 RBIs and went 5-5 as a pitcher. Senior infielder Nicole Demers hit .296 with five home runs. The top returning pitcher is sophomore Brittney Ruark, of Seaford, who had 11 wins and 78 strikeouts last season.