Columbia, MD - The second season of the Dragons softball program is set to start up with their season opener on Thursday, February 9 as they travel to Bryant & Stratton with increased optimism in year two.

The Dragons return six players from last year's team including ace pitcher Samantha Hobert (Elkridge, MD/Howard), star slugger Katelyn Burdette (Frederick, MD/Walkersville), and slick fielding shortstop Sage Huber (West Friendship, MD/Glenelg). Danielle Thompson (Frederick, MD/Tuscarora), Brittney Dix (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach), and Sarah Phelps (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) are also back in maroon for a second season to form a fantastic core of veterans in the squad. 

Under the leadership of head coach Shannon Riley, the Dragons have added to the strong returning players with another great recruiting class. Kasey Smith (Jessup, MD/Hammond) will join Hobert on the mound for the Dragons as she looks to bring a new dynamic to the pitching circle. Ashleigh Gerber (Marriottsville, MD/Marriotts Ridge) transferred to Howard after a year at Washington & Jefferson College and brings with her a power bat. Left-handed hitting Ava Hehir-Keys (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) and Alyssa Kelly (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) join the Dragons after playing as teammates at Reservoir High School while Madeline Lackey (Manchester, MD/Manchester Valley) was plucked out of north Carroll County to join the Dragon outfield.

After their opening doubleheader, the Dragons travel to Myrtle Beach, SC to participate in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic against schools from all over the east coach and mid-west. Howard will go to Anne Arundel for their first regional contests of the season on March 8 before finally enjoying the season home opener on Tuesday, March 14 against Finger Lakes CC.

Howard will play all their home games for the year at Kiwanis Wallas Park in Ellicott City, MD as field #7 has become the home of the Dragon softball program. A long home stand will ensue as regional home doubleheaders against Allegany on March 16, Southern Maryland on March 18, and Hagerstown on March 25 will keep the Howard groundscrew busy.

The Dragons' biggest rivalry games will see them go to Potomac State on April 1 along with hosting Chesapeake on April 11 for a couple of dates that are surely circled on numerous calendars. Howard will host CCBC Catonsville on April 22 as they will once again host the Strikeout Cancer festivities to fundraise for cancer research and show support for cancer survivors. 

The Region 20 tournament will be hosted at Catonsville this year, with the final four section of the tournament set for May 11-13 with the national tournament set to take place in Spartanburg, SC. 

All home games will be live streamed online along with live statistics; the links to which can be found on the schedule.