Ellicott City, MD - Howard Community College's softball team wrapped up their triple header of doubleheaders last week with a pair of tough losses to the Jefferson Community College Cannoneers.

Howard led 6-1 late in game one, before a Jefferson rally ruined the afternoon. Game two was a close-fought match that came down to the wire, but a sudden storm brought an end to the game in the sixth inning. The losses dropped the Dragons to 9-10 on the season.

Game One: Cannoneers 10, Dragons 8
With rain on the horizon, Thursday's games were moved up an hour and a half in an attempt to get both in. Early on, it looked like the Dragons would end the game early, taking a 6-1 lead over the Cannoneers. A Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) double through the left side got the day started, giving Howard an early 1-0 lead. After a Cannoneer double in the second tied the score, the Dragons pulled ahead on a Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) double, a Holly Ryan (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) double, and a throwing error that made it 5-1. Howard added an additional run in the bottom of the fourth when Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) hit a towering home run to make it 6-1.

The Cannoneers finally began to wake up in the top of the fifth, scoring off a double and a throwing error by Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton). But Howard had a response, with Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) hitting the fourth Howard double of the afternoon to score two more runs. Leading 8-4 entering the top of the seventh, it seemed like the Dragons would snatch up their fourth win of the week.

Jefferson quickly loaded the bases to start the seventh, prompting the Dragons to make a pitching change. But the Cannoneers momentum couldn't be stopped, and after a massive home run, Jefferson scored six unanswered runs to take a 10-8 lead. Howard had a chance to get back into the contest in the bottom of the seventh, but all three batters either flied out or were struck out to close out the contest.

Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) scored three runs, added two hits including a double, and recorded a stolen base for the Dragons. Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) had three hits, two runs, three RBIs, a double, and a home run. Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) added two RBIs off a double, one of five extra base hits the Dragons had during the afternoon. Howard added two stolen bases, and Howard's pitchers struck out three batters.

Game Two: Cannoneers 5, Dragons 3
Game two was played with dark skies in the background as the rain the Dragons had hoped to avoid was right on top of them. In a fast-paced contest, the Dragons got on the board early thanks to a Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) home run, giving her one home run in every game played this week.

Jeffeson was quick to establish a 5-1 lead on the Dragons, scoring all of their runs in the opening two innings. Howard made a pitching change, bringing Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) into the contest to replace Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel). Ryan went to work, shutting down the Cannoneers through the next three innings. Howard wasn't able to get past Jefferson's pitching themselves, but in the bottom of the fifth, as heavy drops began to fall, the Dragons bats woke up. MIcah Howell's RBI single brought home Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel), and a monster double to center field by Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) scored another run. Now down two, the Dragons were all set to go to work in the sixth when the skies opened. Thursday's game would be suspended, with the Cannoneers awarded the victory.

The Dragons next host Hagerstown Community College on Saturday for their annual Strikeout Cancer Games!