By Badi Cross
Howard University and American University met at the Nationals Youth Academy on April 7 for the Bison Baseball Club’s inaugural game.
The doubleheader featured a combined 34 runs scored for both teams. The Bison took the first game, 10-0, finishing in five innings due to the mercy rule. The Bison were up by 10 runs by the fifth inning.
The Eagles won the second game, coming back from two scores down to win 17-7.
The games were the first of the season for Howard’s recently-formed baseball club and a return to the diamond for the first time in over 20 years. Howard’s original varsity program was dissolved by the school in 2002 after seven Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships.
The first game started with pitcher Kevin Barrow striking out the top of the order. Howard scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, with outfielder Justin Smith touching all the bags for the club’s inaugural run.
Bison head coach Jamall McKay said his keys to the game came from the defense.
“The shutout was about two things: pitching and catching,” said McKay. “Our defense did great about not allowing too many runners to get on base.”
Neither team scored in the second inning, but Howard came alive in the third, scoring eight runs to bring the score up 9-0. The Bison batted in four consecutive runners before recording their first out.
Barrow, Grant Poston, Julian Lee, Maxwell Curry, Caleb Glenn, Toussaint Francher, and Trevor Johnson all scored before the third out of the inning.
Barrow would continue his performance into the fourth and fifth innings, not allowing a single run or hit for the rest of the game.
The final run of the first game would come from Smith, making him the high-scorer for the team.
Julian Lee (19) ran home to score. Lee scored three runs on the day. (Badi Cross, HU News Service)
After the game, Lee shared his excitement for the team after their first win.
“We should be able to entertain a lot of people with how we play the game,” said Lee. “I really love to see my guys get out there and play well because I know all of the hard work that was put in for this opportunity.”
Lee, the club’s president, scored three total runs over the course of both games, including a run batted in by an inside-the-park home run by Smith.
Glenn, Curry, and Lee took over the pitching duties for the second game, giving Barrow’s arm some rest.
A far more competitive game at the start, the Bison and the Eagles traded blows in the first two innings, with the Bison scoring six runs and the Eagles scoring four. By the time of the seventh inning, the score was 7-5, with Howard leading.
Howard lost its momentum in the top of the seventh, as they allowed 12 runs in the inning. After failing to score in the bottom of the inning, the Bison lost the game by as many as they had won the first one.
Fans celebrate a Bison score. The team scored a total of 17 runs across both games. (Badi Cross, HU News Service)
Despite the lopsided scores, many fans were still there to support the Bison in their first intercollegiate outing.
Asa Bailey, whose younger brother is outfielder Alafia Bailey, was one of the fans in attendance.
“My brother has been passionate about baseball for his whole life,” said Bailey. “Being able to see him play in college is really exciting.”
Bailey explained that she sees a lot of value in the sport being back at Howard, with a great legacy being behind the team.
“Being able to see the guys rally around each other has been really good,” said Bailey. “It’s exciting for the history of Howard and just for students who are passionate about baseball who wouldn’t have gotten the chance to play otherwise.”
