Softball | 5/8/2026 8:39:32 PM

NORFOLK, Va – The Top-seeded Howard Bison used explosive offensive production over the first three innings to defeat No. 3 seed South Carolina State Bulldogs 13-4 in five innings on Friday evening at TowneBank Field to advance to the 2026 MEAC Softball Championship. 

South Carolina State struck first in the opening inning when Makayla Chisolm, drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Jamaria Charley for an early 1-0 lead. Howard answered immediately in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run double from Makyia Taylor and an RBI double by Angel Riggins to take a 3-1 lead. 

The Bison continued to build momentum in the second inning with five more runs. MEAC Player of the Year Maryn Jordan launched a two-run homer to center field before Howard added three additional runs, including Lauryn Jones stealing home and RBI plays from Riggins and Kelyse Stewart, extending the lead to 8-1. 

South Carolina State trimmed the deficit to 8-2 in the third on Makayla Chisolms’ RBI single, but Howard responded with another five-run inning in the bottom half., Taylor Ames-Alexander added an RBI single and Cheyenne Castille delivered an RBI single as the Bison capitalized on multiple South Carolina State miscues to stretch the advantage to 13-2. 

The Bulldogs added two runs in the fifth inning on another RBI single from Chisolm, but Howard closed out the run-rule victory after five innings.   

Howard finished with nine hits and drew seven walks in the contest. Jordan went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and a home run, while Taylor drove in two runs and scored twice. Castille added two hits, and Riggins collected two RBI for the Bison. 

With the win, Howard Bison advances to the championship game at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, with the opportunity to repeat as MEAC Softball Champions on the line. 

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