CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University softball team held a 3-1 lead through four innings before visiting Howard University used two big innings to secure a 12-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory on Sunday afternoon at Thomas Brooks Park.
 
Senior outfielder Imara Harrell drove in two of NCCU's runs with a single through the right side of the infield to give the Eagles their 3-1 edge in the third inning. Harrell had two hits for the maroon and gray to finish the three-game series going 3 for 4 for a .750 batting average.
 
Howard (18-7 Overall, 2-1 MEAC) took the initial 1-nil advantage in the first inning before junior Jai'lyn Edwards knotted the score with a sacrifice fly to begin NCCU's three-run third inning.
 
Junior starting pitcher Jaden Davis kept the Bison to just one run over the first four innings in her attempt to pick up two wins in two days against Howard. However, the visitors broke through with six runs in the top of the fifth inning and then added five more runs in the seventh to secure the 2-1 series win.
 
After NCCU scored its three runs, sophomore Julia Holt (4-0) did not allow a run to her name in 4 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win in both of Howard's wins against the Eagles.
 
Freshman Angel Riggins drove in five Bison runs with an RBI-single in the first, a two-run single in the fifth and a two-run double in the seventh. Riggins tallied three of Howard's 13 hits.
 
Senior Jaylah Barr and freshman Tyler Suttles matched Harrell with two hits apiece for the Eagles.
 
NC Central will next play a non-conference game at Elon University on Tuesday, March 19 at 5 p.m.
 
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