NORFOLK, Va., May 9, 2024 --- The No. 5 Bulldogs of South Carolina State completed the 6-3 upset over the No. 2 Bison of Howard to advance to the consolation bracket.  

SCSU moves on to face top-seeded MSU on Friday at 12 p.m. at the NSU Softball Field in Norfolk, Va.  

As a team, S.C. State has six different players record six RBI with Taylor Ames-Alexander went 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI. Rookie pitcher Aaliyah Williams threw a complete game earning the victory giving up just three runs, two earned, while striking out three batters.  

The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard early as Kaylah Lesli scored on a double from Taylor Ames-Alexander.  

The next three innings were scoreless between the two teams as the defenses from each squad kept runners from advancing on the bases.  

Howard found their way onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning as Kenna Higa led off with a solo homerun to right center field. Lealani Ricks reached base on a single to third and moved to second after a sac bunt from Alyssa Vasquez. Ricks moved to third when Merci Hart singled to left field before a sacrifice fly from Bri Martinez drove Ricks home to give the Bison a 2-1 lead.  

The next two innings were scoreless for both squads despite opportunities for each to reach base and leaving runners on the bases.  

In the top of the seventh inning, Will started a Bulldog rally hitting a single to left field. Will advanced two bases following an error by the second baseman during a Kauree Munyan at-bat. Will came home after Madison Boyd hit a single to second base while Mikenna Williams, in to pinch run for Munyan, ran to third after previously stealing second.  

Cameron Hall laid down a successful single bunt that moved Boyd to second loading the bases for the Bulldogs. Lesli earned an RBI after getting hit by a pitch moving the runners a bag and sending M. Williams home giving SCSU the 3-2 lead.  

Three consecutive singles by S.C. State scored three more runs cushioning the Bulldogs lead by four runs, 6-2, as the inning came to a close on a strikeout. 

The Bison answered in the bottom of the seventh with a run scored by Hart on a Maryn Jordan single, however, the next two batters in line lined out and grounded out to conclude the contest with S.C. State advancing to game three in the consolation bracket where they will face the Bears of Morgan State.