Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard scored four runs in the first inning of game one and clung to that lead for the rest of the game in a 4-3 final over Lafayette on Tuesday evening at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.

The hosts got to Lafayette starter Stephanie Thomas in their first at-bat. Brooklyn Emory (2-for-3) hit a three-run home run and Jasmine Gammons added an RBI-single for the 4-0 advantage. Thomas held the Bison scoreless of the final five innings, spreading around three hits in the span. She struck out a season-high seven batters and walked one.

Lafayette scored all of its runs in the third inning. Howard (4-17) starter Janessa Flynn retired the first two batters of the inning before Allison Brown extended things with a double down the line. Brooke Wensel reached on an error before Maddie Wensel (2-for-3) plated her and Brown with a single to center. The Leopards pulled within 4-3, manufacturing a run with a double steal and Kristyn Marinelli's infield single.

The Leopards (5-9) had their chances in the sixth. A Marinelli single and Miranda Skurla (3-for-3) bunt single put two runners on with no outs. Howard made the pitching change from Janessa Flynn to Alex Flynn. A fielding error loaded the bases, but Howard turned a 5-2-3 doubleplay and then got a groundout two batters later to end the inning and seal the win.