Howard University softball team won’t be repeating as MEAC champions this season, after falling to Coppin State in the Friday, May 12th game. Ultimately, the MEAC tournament was won by North Carolina Central University. The Eagles will represent the conference in the NCAA tournament game on May 19th on ESPN+ at 4:30 vs the University of Georgia.
While obviously disappointed they wouldn’t get a chance to defend her title, coach Tori Tyson tweeted this out following her team’s postseason exit:
Taken in retrospect, the team’s higher expectations are indicative of a team of talent. When Tyson first got to Howard, she remarked in her Bison Break interview, that the team wasn’t used to winning. That, in fact, they had grown accustomed to the games being so out of hand that they were called due to the run rule. The young women that are graduating were part of a nine-win season when they first got there. Those same women won 10 games just in the conference alone this season.
No, the team didn’t win the MEAC championship this season. But that doesn’t mean that individual players didn’t still cover themselves in glory. Sophomore catcher Alyssa Vasquez earned her first first-team All-MEAC award after being second-team All-MEAC last year. Sophomore shortstop Sidney Fletcher joins her on the first team. Outfielder Kalita Dennis made the second team All-MEAC team. She was on the first team in 2021. And finally, sophomore second baseman Lealani Ricks and freshman utility player Amelia Weber made the third team.
It's imperative that Howard continue to support Tyson and the next generation of softball talent. There is currently a Bison Express “Gimme 5” campaign. It’s a commitment to give $5 now and $10 in 90 days. Here is a link to the campaign. Let’s help give to the athletic programs that give so much to us.
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