DOVER. (April 30, 2009) ? In their third straight day of competition, the Delaware State Softball Team (21-21, 7-5 MEAC) dropped their fifth straight game to the Howard Bison (18-26, 7-4 MEAC) 7-2, tonight, at the Hornets Nest.
After getting a day off yesterday against Maryland, junior Brittney Ruark started on the mound for the Hornets. She got past the first two innings unscathed, but Howard's Emily Johnson took Ruark deep in the third inning to give the Bison the 2-0 lead.
The Seaford, Del., native allowed two more runs in the fifth inning before she was pulled.
Megan Lambertz entered in relief and allowed a single to pitcher Carly Martin which scored two due to a fielding error by Tawny Reeger.
The Hornets had their best opportunity to make a comeback in the sixth inning as they loaded the bases with just one out. Reeger singled to drive in Courtney Taylor and a fielding error by the right fielder allowed Andrea Waters to score to cut the Bison lead to 6-2. The next two batters, JoJo Shields and Megan Lambertz struck out swinging to end the inning and the rally.
Howard scored an insurance run in the sixth inning to take the game 7-2.
Ruark picked up her ninth loss of the season, allowing five earned runs over 4.1 innings.
Reeger led the way offensively for DSU, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Howard's offense was catapulted by Emily Johnson who went 2-for-2 with a homerun and four RBI.
The Hornets will close out the regular season with a three-game set at Morgan State this weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, May 2, starting at 1 p.m. They will then play a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
