North Carolina A&T scored two runs in the eighth inning, and sophomore pitcher Jennifer Luper threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout to lead the Aggies to a 2-0 win over Howard in a MEAC Softball Tournament elimination game at Ormond Beach Complex on Friday.

Howard starter Carly Martin and Luper had their respective teams tangled in a pitcher’s duel throughout. The game went into the top of the eighth scoreless. 

In accordance to international softball rules, the Aggies had a runner (Britney Reddick) placed on second. Reddick moved to third on a bunt single by Lillian Bullock. An unorthodox play that started innocently with Jessie Larson hitting a ground ball to the pitcher led to the first run of the game.

After Martin threw out Larson going to first, an overthrow to second base in attempt to throw out Bullock, allowed Reddick to score for a 1-0 Aggies lead. Bullock moved to third on a wild pitch, which set up Bianca Alsobrook’s groundout RBI to shortstop for a 2-0 Aggies advantage.

After Howard had its runner placed on second in the home half of the eighth, Luper retired the Bison in order to advance the Aggies. Bullock led the Aggies offensively by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Luper (16-11) finished the game with eight strikeouts.

Martin (7-13) struck out five over eight innings and did not allow an earned run. Howard’s season ends at 21-28.

Admission for the 2009 MEAC Softball Championship is $5 for children, students and seniors. Ticket prices for the entire tournament are $12.

For more information on MEAC Softball, log on to www.meacsports.com.