CLEARWATER, Fla. (February 12, 2023) – Howard University softball team dropped its finale to Louisville in five, 8-0, at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
 
With the setback, HU fell to .500 (2-2) on the young season.
 
Louisville held the Bison attack to only one hit while producing eight runs on eight hits of their own. Second-year Bison Sidney Fletcher (Whittier, Calif.) earned HU's lone hit of the afternoon.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead after two.
 
Next inning, Louisville ballooned the lead with four runs in the third, capped off by a two-run shot Elana Ornelas, 6-0.
 
Louisville ended the contest early with two more runs in the fifth, 8-0.
 
Taylor Roby and Gabby Holloway combined for the one-hit shutout.
 
After the tournament, the NFCA Tournament committee announced its All-Tournament Team where sophomore Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.) made the squad. The California native went 3-of-4 with two runs scored, a walk and stolen base in four games.
 
No. 13 Tennessee won the 2023 NFCA Leadoff Classic with wins over Howard, Illinois and No. 8 Northwestern.
 
The Bison will be off to the Cavalier Classic in Charlottesville, Virginia (Feb. 24-26) for their next tournament outing. There, they will play Longwood, St. Johns, Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia, and George Washington.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.