Carneys Point, NJ - The Howard Community College Dragons softball team was swept last Thursday by the Salem Community College Mighty Oaks, dropping to 14-15 on the season.
In a series that was a late addition to the calender, the Dragons struggled with errors against the Mighty Oaks, losing 12-4 and 14-6 in their two games.
Game One: Mighty Oaks 12, Dragons 4
Howard jumped out to an early 4-0 lead over the first two innings, courtesy of a
Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) two-run home run and solid hitting from
Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton). The lead would through the next two innings as Salem added three runs, but Howard's offense was kept in check. No Dragons runners would make it home despite five batters getting hits.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons lead evaporated as Salem scored nine unanswered runs, ending the contest early via run-rule. Not even a pitching change from
Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) to
Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) could stop the bleeding, handing the Dragons a rough loss.
Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) finished the game with a hit and two runs.
Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) had the games only home run, while
Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) recorded two hits. Despite the loss,
Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) was still able to strikeout three batters.
Game Two: Mighty Oaks 14, Dragons 6
Game two got off to a rough start for the Dragons, with an early pitching change needed after Salem took a 7-0 lead. Howard got several runs back thanks to a bases-loaded walk and a
Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) RBI double. But Salem's non-stop hitting, combined with a slew of errors from the Dragons allowed the Mighty Oaks to extend their lead. Howard got two runs back in the top of the fourth off a
Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) RBI single, but another avalanche of runs from the Mighty Oaks in the bottom of the fifth ended the game early.
Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) led the Dragons with two runs, a double, and a stolen base.
Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel) scored two runs and a stolen base, while
Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) had a double and two RBIs.
Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) recorded two RBIs, while the Dragons three pitchers recorded a combined four strikeouts.
The Dragons next face Harford Community College on Monday, April 14 at 1:00 PM for their next doubleheader. Saturday's scheduled doubleheader against Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been rescheduled due to inclement weather.
