The two HBCU Division I softball champions gave it their best effort in the NCAA regionals but fell short Saturday.
MEAC champion Howard opened up a 2-0 lead against Marshall before losing 4-2 in the Durham regional elimination bracket, while SWAC champion Florida A&M was held scoreless by West Texas in a 6-0 loss in the Gainesville regional elimination bracket.
The losses end very successful seasons for the Bison and Rattlers.
Howard, who finished the 2026 season 28-19, got on the board first in the top of the second inning against the Herd.
Cheyenne Castille singled with one out and scored on a throwing error by Marshall third baseman Sydni Burko.
Another Burko throwing error loaded the bases in the top of the third. Castille worked a walk to bring home Aniyah Whipper for the Bison’s second run.
Burko made up for her errors in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run homer to tie the game. Catcher Abby Darnley gave Marshall the lead for good with another two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth.
Howard mounted a threat in the top of the fifth, but with two on and one out, Angel Riggins’ grounder to first was snatched up by Bella Gerlach and after Gerlach forced Riggins out, she threw home to nail Howard’s Ariyah Allen for the final out of the inning and Marshall held serve the rest of the way.
Florida A&M (32-21) fell behind early and could never catch up, as they were in danger of being held hitless by Texas State pitcher Emma Strood.
Shortstop Amari Brown broke up Strood’s no-hit bid with a leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth, but that was one of just two hits the Rattlers could muster up.
Amya Ramos had Florida A&M’s other hit with a single in the bottom half of the 7th.
