Once again, excellence was on full display at The Mecca as the Bison softball team won its second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and the university’s ninth championship overall this academic year. 

The Bison (28-17) secured its championship this past Saturday, delivering a commanding 11-2 victory over South Carolina State to defend its crown. The Bison outscored its opponents 35-8 in the three tournament games played last week. The championship caps off a season defined by dominance, resilience, and historic milestones for the program. Now, the team prepares for the NCAA Softball Tournament, where they will face Duke University (39-14) in the Durham regional on Friday. First pitch is at 12 p.m., and the game can be viewed on the ACC Network and streamed live on ESPN. 

This is the second consecutive year the Bison will face Duke in the first round, and Head Coach Tori Tyson believes the Blue Devils will see a different Bison team on the field. 

“This is a team that has already gotten their feet wet in terms of NCAA experience,” Tyson said during the team’s Selection Show watch party at Ben’s Chili Bowl on Sunday evening. “I’m excited to once again get to regionals, and now, our goal is to represent the (MEAC) conference better and show people what we’re made of.” 

The Bison’s championship run is the latest highlight in a season that continues to elevate the trajectory of Howard Athletics. Earlier this season, the team made history with its first-ever victory over a Big Ten opponent, a 5-4 upset victory over the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Hillebrand Invitational in Tucson, Arizona — a signature moment that signaled its readiness to compete on a national level. Howard closed the regular season on an impressive 18-3 run, securing its second consecutive MEAC regular season title and entering tournament play as the top seed. 

Under the leadership of Tyson, who earned her first-ever MEAC Coach of the Year honor, the Bison have built a culture rooted in preparation and belief. That culture was on full display throughout the tournament and culminated in a dominant championship performance. 

“The continued success of our softball program is a testament to the vision, discipline, and competitive excellence that define Howard Athletics,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Kery Davis. “Coach Tyson and our student-athletes have set a standard of consistency and championship performance that reflects the very best of what it means to represent this university.” 

The team’s individual excellence matched its collective success. In addition to Tyson’s honor, senior outfielder Maryn Jordan was named MEAC Player of the Year, while sophomore Aiko Conaway was named MEAC Pitcher of the Year. Howard also placed eight student-athletes on the All-MEAC First Team, underscoring the depth and talent across the roster. Jordan was also named Most Outstanding Performer of the MEAC tournament while Tyson was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Coach.  

Pitcher Julia Holt, a four-year starter, has seen the evolution of the program and is proud to be a part of what Tyson has built here. 

“It’s exciting to see a new standard begin and cool to be a part of this team,” Holt said, reflecting on the program’s success in recent years. Her freshman season, the Bison went 20-26 in 2023 and exited the MEAC Tournament in the semifinal round. The following year, the Bison went 32-13 yet failed to win a MEAC Tournament game. Last season, the team emerged as the best of the pack in the MEAC and earned its first MEAC title. And now, they are back on top of the conference. 

“This is a new standard of excellence and it means a lot that people are starting to pay attention to what we’re doing,” said Holt, who along with Maryn Jordan, pitcher Destiny Calloway, catcher Kelyse Stewart, and catcher Zafirah Doss were playing in the MEAC Championship game in Norfolk while the 158th Commencement Convocation was taking place on The Yard. Missing graduation festivities was disappointing, but according to Holt, winning a championship was worth it. 

“We’ve known each year that the MEAC tournament happens during graduation, and it is hard to know you’re going to miss those special moments,” Holt said. “But we’re proud to represent Howard and we hope that we can continue to make everyone proud of what we’re building here.” 

With the MEAC title secured, the Bison now turn their attention to the national stage. Howard will face the third-seed Duke Blue Devils softball in the opening round of the NCAA Softball Tournament. The Bison fell to Duke 12-0 in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Tyson is confident that, this year, the Bison can see a different outcome.  

“We hope that, thus far, we’ve made all Bison fans proud,” Tyson said. “And we want them to feel like they’re going to be able to see a good brand of softball from us. We’ve got good hitters, good competitors, and we’re ready to make a run this week.”