NORFOLK, Va., April 30, 2024 – Howard junior Alyssa Vasquez was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Bison teammate Angel Riggins was named Rookie of the Week, while Morgan State’s Victoria Fletcher and Maryland Eastern Shore’s Ameenah Ballenger were named the Co-Pitchers of the Week.   

Vasquez (Jr., C, Eastvale, Calif.) helped the Bison sweep the Spartans 3-0 in the final weekend of the regular season while recording a .545 batting average. In 11 plate appearances, she recorded six hits with one double, two walks and five RBI while crossing home plate four times. She registered three consecutive multi-hit games and drove in at least one run in all three contests. 

Riggins (Fr., UTL, San Diego, Calif.) went 4-of-6 at the plate scoring four runs and driving in three RBI as the Bison swept the Spartans. The San Diego, Calif. native collected three stolen bases in the series opener and closed the series with a double. 

Fletcher (Gr., P, Huntington, Md.) collected a 0.00 ERA giving up no earned runs on five hits while striking out seven batters through 10.0 innings pitched. In the series opener against Coppin State, Fletcher threw six strikeouts and allowed just two hits. 

Ballenger (Sr., P/DP, Lansdowne, Pa.) threw two complete games collecting a 0.58 ERA in 12.0 innings of work as the Hawks went 2-1 in the final weekend of MEAC action. Ballenger gave up just one run on eight hits while striking out nine batters, including six in the series finale against DSU.  

Other top performers  

• Vanessa Carrizosa (Coppin State) threw 19.0 innings throughout the week with three complete games and one shutout for the Eagles. She collected a 1.08 ERA giving up 11 runs, eight earned, on 22 hits while striking out five batters. 
• Seryna Esparza (Coppin State) batted .333 for the week registering five hits including a double and one homerun in 15 at-bats with four RBI and one run scored. 
• Julia Holt (Howard) threw 7.0 innings over three games for the Bison striking out 01 batters and giving up four runs, three earned, on five hits for a 3.00 ERA.   
• Kelsie Ekstrom (Maryland Eastern Shore) hit .636 at the plate with seven hits including two doubles in 11 appearances. She drove in four RBI while make two trips across home plate while also stealing two bases. 
• Taylor Ames-Alexander (South Carolina State) hit .625 at the plate in eight appearances collecting five hits and scoring twice.