ORMOND BEACH, Fla., May 8, 2019 – Howard returned to the postseason in a big way by blanking North Carolina Central in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Quarterfinals, 6-0, at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. With the victory, HU secured its first MEAC Tourney win since 2011.
 
“Absolutely unreal performance today,” Howard head softball coach Tori Tyson said. “These girls are fighters [and] they flat out competed today.”
 
HU displayed an all-round performance at the plate and inside the circle.
 
Sophomore Breanna Robinson provided the big bat for HU in the six spot, going 2-for-3, including a two-run shot in the fourth.
 
In the circle, redshirt senior Mackenzi Steele tossed a complete-game shutout on three scattered hits. The Virginia product also struck out three Lady Eagles in the win.
 
“They played big [today],” Tyson continued. “Not one player on this team has been to a post season game. I am beyond proud to be the Bison head coach.”
 
Freshman Jackie Jones delivered an RBI-single up-the-middle and put Howard on the board after two innings, 1-0.
 
After Robinson’s two-run blast extend HU’s lead after four, 3-0, the Bison capitalized on a pair of Lady Eagles’ errors and doubled their advantage, 6-0.
 
NCCU (21-25) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end and will meet Coppin State in an elimination contest Thursday (May 9) at noon.
 
For HU (17-27), they will face the top-seed from the Southern Division and reigning conference champions Bethune-Cookman Thursday at 3 p.m.
 
With a win, HU meets the winner between Florida A&M and Norfolk State Friday (May 10) at noon. A loss sends Howard to the loser’s bracket where they will play the winner between Delaware State and North Carolina A&T State Thursday at 5 p.m.