WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Bowie State softball scored six runs in the day's nightcap but suffered a pair of losses to Howard Wednesday night at the Nationals Youth Academy. BSU went hitless in the opening, falling 17-0. However, after an explosive start in the second game, the Bulldogs could hold off the Bisons down the stretch, falling 18-6 in five innings.
GAME 1 | Howard 17, Bowie State 0
Sophomore Lindsey George (2-3) got the ball to start for Bowie State (5-4) and took the loss.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were paced by senior Shanya Gordon, who went 0-for-1 on the day with a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bowie State managed one chance with runners on third in the shutout, going a total of 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The Bulldogs last got a runner on third in the fourth, when sophomore Karen Fritzges made it 60 feet away from scoring with one out.
GAME NOTES
» Bowie State pitchers faced 35 Howard hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and four fly balls while striking out one.
» Gordon led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 0-for-1.
» Howard was led offensively by Lealani Ricks, who went 4-for-4 with three RBI.
» Gonzales led the Lady Bison pitching staff, throwing three scoreless innings.
GAME 2 | Howard 18, Bowie State 6
The Bulldogs put up six runs, but could not hold the Howard Lady Bison at bay, dropping an 18-6 decision.
Senior Akirra Pullen (0-2) started and took the loss in the circle for Bowie State (5-5).
In the batter's box, the Bulldogs were paced by Pullen, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Aliyah Smith furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-2 with a double and a walk. Senior Shanya Gordon also helped out for Bowie State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Bowie State got an RBI single from sophomore Kayla Evans, scoring sophomore Lindsey George from third base.
The Lady Bison then rallied to score seven runs and take a 7-1 lead before the Bulldogs got back on the board in the second. Bowie State pushed across a run on Gordon's two-out RBI double, which brought the score to 7-2 in favor of the Lady Bison.
Howard built their lead to 10-2 before the Bowie State offense got back to work, reducing that lead to 10-4 in the third. Bowie State recorded two runs, including one on a solo round-tripper off the bat of Pullen.
The Lady Bison expanded their lead to 11-4 before the Bowie State offense got back to work, biting into that lead in the fourth. Freshman Sydney Edmond's run-scoring single brought home one run in a two-run output for the Bulldogs, bringing the score to 11-6 in favor of Howard. The Bulldogs were unable to get any closer, as Howard added seven runs to their tally on the way to an 18-6 final.
GAME NOTES
» Bowie State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Bowie State pitchers faced 33 Howard hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and four fly balls.
» The Bulldogs drew five walks from Howard pitching.
» Pullen led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.
» Howard was led offensively byVictoria Brown, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBI.
» Sophomore Mia Gonzales led the Lady Bison pitching staff, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Bowie State will host Slippery Rock on Saturday, Mar. 4 for its home opener beginning at 1 p.m. (DH), following a twinbill with Mansfield on Sunday, Mar. 5 at 12 noon. Both games will be played on campus at the BSU Softball Field.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
