Petersburg, VA - Howard Community College's softball team wrapped up their five-game road trip to start the season with a tough 9-8 loss to Richard Bland on Monday.

The Dragons took an 8-5 lead after a wild first three innings, but allowed two late runs by the Statesmen in the bottom of the seventh in a walk-off loss. Despite the loss meaning a season sweep of the Dragons by Richard Bland, Howard played tough and looked much-improved from their Sunday performance.

The Dragons got off to a hot start, scoring four runs off Richard Bland's starter. The Statesmen were quick to respond with five runs of their own in the bottom of the second, only for the Dragons to answer with four runs in the top of the third. Giana Sablan's (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) pair of doubles built an 8-5 lead for the Dragons, and Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) shut down Richard Bland's batters over the next two innings.

Richard Bland got a pair of runs to close within one, while shutting down Howard's hitters deep into the contest. In the bottom of the seventh, the Dragons sent Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) in to close out the game. Richard Bland got the bases loaded, then scored the tying run. Another Dragon's pitching change sent Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) to the mound, but it couldn't stop the Statesmen's momentum. Richard Bland got the winning run in to snatch victory away from the Dragons in heartbreaking fashion.

Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) had an excellent day with two hits, two doubles, and three RBIs. Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) recorded one double and stole two bases for the Dragons. Howard managed to draw six walks and stole six bases with Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) taking three for herself.

The Dragons are off this week while the rest of Region 20 makes their debuts, before returning to action at home for a quadruple-header against Monroe-Bronx on March 7 and March 8.