March 15, 2006

Box Score

PRINCESS ANNE, MD - The UMES softball team opened their home season with a pair of losses to Howard Wednesday afternoon at Hawks Field. The Lady Bison won the first game 8-1 and took the second 9-0 in five innings. Dale McNeal got a no hitter in the second game for Howard as HU improved to 7-7 (2-0 MEAC).

In the first game, Howard scored four runs in the first inning as Rischelle Charles and McNeal each doubled to drive in one run apiece. Nayrobi Nicholas later drove in Charles to put the Lady Bison up by three, and Kristina Cordova came across the plate from McNeal's RBI to give Howard the early 4-0 lead.

Tracy Javier crossed the plate in the second inning to put the Lady Bison up by five. HU got two more runs at the top of the third from Nicholas and Semplecia Scott, while Cordova's double in the fourth inning drove in Javier for the Lady Bison's eighth run of the game.

Freshman Kendra Saunders scored the lone run for UMES (1-14, 0-2 MEAC) in the bottom of the fourth when Kristin Greenwood drew a walk with the bases loaded.

Jenille Edwards went 2-3 in the first game while Charlotte Ngondi and Latoya Bailey each had one hit apiece. Javier, McNeal and Debbie Lee each finished 2-2 for HU. McNeal also drove in two runs while Javier had three runs. Nicholas tabbed two runs while Charles, Cordova and Scott picked up one run each.

McNeal struck out six batters and had just one walk in UMES' 9-0 loss to Howard in game two. The Lady Bison held a slim 1-0 lead over the maroon and gray early in the game but opened the floodgates in the third inning as they scored seven runs and took advantage of four UMES errors. McNeal picked up a pair of RBI's from a single to right field while Sukai Curtis-Contretas' double to center field also drove in two batters.

HU added to their lead in the fourth inning as Cordova scored from Larcus Pickett's triple to right field.

The Lady Hawks will look to get back on track this weekend when they compete at the Hampton Tournament on March 17-18.