ZACHARY, La. — After suffering a 4-3 walk-off loss to Howard University early Saturday morning, the North Carolina Central University softball team was unable to regain composure in a 13-2 loss to Prairie View A&M University in its second game of the day to conclude play at the Chef Celeste Bistro Softball Challenge hosted by Southern University.
 
The Eagles finish their opening weekend at 1-3.
 
Sophomores Jessica Powell and Jacobia Johnson led NCCU with three hits apiece on Saturday. Powell also scored twice.
 
FINAL: Howard 4, NC Central 3
 
The Eagles held a 3-0 lead before the Bison scored four unanswered runs to rally for the non-conference w win between the two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) members.  
 
An RBI-single by junior Dalika Wallace highlighted NCCU's scoring in its three-run third inning. Powell started the frame with the first of her two singles and she scored the opening run.
 
Howard (1-2) scratched out its first run in the bottom of the third before leveling the score with two runs in the fourth. The equalizing run was knocked in on a triple by freshman Sienna Herrera.
 
NCCU had a chance to regain the lead when Johnson came up with her second base knock and swiped her second stolen base. However, she was stranded on third base.
 
A leadoff single by sophomore Zaria Hall led the game-winning run for the Bison. She strolled home to end the game on a single down the left field line by freshman pinch hitter Ayana Sallee.
 
Senior Mackenzie Steele (1-1) limited the Lady Eagles to just three runs on five hits over seven innings for her first win of the season.
 
FINAL: Prairie View A&M 13, NC Central 2 (5 Innings)
 
The reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions run-ruled NCCU with 13 runs on 11 hits, two walks one error and four Panthers hit-by-pitches.
 
Freshman third baseman Megan Jimenez drove in five runs to pace the victors, including a two-run double in the first along with a two-run single and a bases-loaded walk both in the third. PVAM (2-0) scored 10 runs in the third.
 
The Lady Eagles scored both of their runs in the fifth. Powell started with a single and scored on a double by senior Aleyah Evans, who later scored on a hit by junior Tamiera Sanchez.