Ellicott City, MD - In their first Region 20 contest of the season, the Howard Community College Dragons made a statement by splitting their doubleheader against Chesapeake College.

Howard fought hard in game one of the doubleheader, trailing by three entering the final inning. Despite the loss, the Dragons had come closer than ever before to defeating their rivals, and in game two they accomplished just that in a 10-2 blowout. The win marks the first ever victory for the Dragons against the Skipjacks!

Game One: Skipjacks 9, Dragons 6
The Dragons had played just one game against Chesapeake that hadn't been a one-sided Skipjacks victory, and were hoping to change that trend as they sent Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) to the mound. Chesapeake scored first off a sac-fly from Emma Beales, only for the Dragons to quickly answer in the bottom of the first. A Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) doubled got Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel) into scoring range, and a wild pitch on the next at-bat allowed Perkes to reach home. Johnson would score on a fielder's choice to give Howard their first lead of the game after one.

Chesapeake was quick to respond in the second, adding three runs on a fielder's choice and an RBI double. They further extended the lead in the third when Rylie Arnold launched a home run over the left field wall, scoring two more runs. Now trailing 6-2, the Dragons began to fight back in the bottom of the third. Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) doubled to kick off the inning, followed by a Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) single. Morgan Ryan's (Laurel, MD/Atholton) sac-fly brought home Steele to cut the deficit to three, and a massive triple by Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) cleared the bases to make it a 6-5 ball game.

After neither team scored in the fourth, the Skipjacks smacked their second home run of the game to kick off the fifth, extending their lead to 8-5. Howard couldn't respond in the bottom of the fifth, and the Skipjacks added an additional run off a wild pitch to make it a 9-5 ball game entering the bottom of the sixth. Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) got on base via a single, before a bizarre play gave the Dragons an additional at-bat. Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) had seemingly grounded out to end the inning, but Howard's coaching staff noted that the player who made the tag had been removed from the game earlier for a pinch-runner, meaning she was ineligible to be on the field. The umpires agreed, allowing Pence a new at-bat. Taking full advantage, Pence smacked a double to left field to bring Howell home. Entering the seventh, it was a three-run game.

After shutting down the Skipjacks to start the seventh, the Dragons headed out to try and win their first ever game against Chesapeake. However, it was not meant to be in game one. The Dragons got two on base courtesy of a Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) double, but Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) was struck out to end the game. Despite the loss, the Dragons had played an excellent game against one of Region 20's blue-bloods.

Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir), Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales), and Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) all finished the game with two hits to lead the Dragons. Johnson recorded a double and a stolen base, while Sablan had a double and a triple. Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg), Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty), and Holly Ryan (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) each recorded doubles as well. Steele pitched the entire game, recording seven strikeouts in a career-high performance.

Game Two: Dragons 10, Skipjacks 2
The Dragons were confidant that if they could go toe-to-toe with Chesapeake in game one, they could break through and win in game two. Chesapeake would once again open the scoring on a wild pitch, but this time the Dragons response was much grander. Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) got the party started with a two RBI single that brought home Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel) and Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir). Pence then scored on a fielder's choice, and Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) added two more runs with a double on a dropped fly ball. Up 5-1, the Dragons shuffled their defense, giving Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) the mound after Howell started the game. Three more runs were added in the second as a throwing error allowed Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) to score and Webb launched a deep home run into left field.

Now up 8-1, the Dragons once more shuffled their lineup after Pence left the game with an injury. The Skipjacks got a run back off a fielder's choice in the top of the third, but Howard immediately responded. With two runners on base, a wild pitch allowed Cassie Litchfield (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) and Johnson to score, making it 10-2. Howard clamped down on defense the rest of the way, shutting out Chesapeake through the next two innings. An attempt to steal second by Kerry Kemp ended the contest as Madison Falby's (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) throw to Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) was on target. For the first time in program history, the Dragons had defeated Chesapeake, winning via run rule.

Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) had an awesome game, recording three hits, three runs, a double, and two stolen bases. Johnson also made crucial defensive plays after replacing Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) at shortstop, including the final out. Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel) set the tone as the lead-off hitter, scoring two hits and two runs. Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) had three RBIs and a stolen base before exiting the contest, while Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) scored two RBIs. Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) added three RBIs and the game's only home run. Howell was given the win, her first of the season on the mound, while Webb got her first career save.

The Dragons next head to Cecil College for a Region 20 doubleheader on Friday, March 14.