CARY, N.C. – Freshman
Jaden Davis and sophomore
Jaylah Barr both hit solo home runs in the first inning to provide host North Carolina Central University with the initial lead, but Howard University rallied to win the series finale 12-2 at Thomas Brooks Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Bison scored eight more unearned runs to pull away for the seven-run victory and complete the three-game series sweep (NCCU gave up 21 total unearned runs on 13 total errors over the weekend). Howard improved to 17-19 on the season and 8-3 in the MEAC.
The Eagles and Bison both finished with seven hits, but NCCU's four errors and eight issued walks helped the Bison pull away to the run-rule victory in five innings.
Davis put the Eagles on the board with her solo home run to begin the bottom of the first inning. Davis deposited her second home run of her rookie season over the fence down the left-field line to extend her hit streak to 10 games.
Two batters later, Barr doubled up NCCU's advantage with her league-leading seventh home run of the season. Barr launched her shot to left field.
Howard got on the board and pulled ahead with six runs in the third inning (five of which were unearned) and then added three more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. Freshman Lealani Ricks was the only Bison batter with multiple hits and she scored three times. Senior Xzarria Simmonds added two runs and two RBI.
Davis finished with three of NCCU's seven base hits.
NC Central is next scheduled to play a non-conference doubleheader at Appalachian State University on Tuesday, April 12 beginning at 4 p.m.
