Ellicott City, MD - Facing their toughest opponent of the season, the Howard Community College Dragons played well against the WVU Potomac State Catamounts, losing 17-4 and 9-6 in their two games.

The Dragons went toe-to-toe with the Catamounts for much of game one, only for an avalanche of runs in the final two innings to put the contest away. Game two was much closer, with the game coming down to the final inning. Despite the sweep, the losses proved that the Dragons can slug it out with Region 20's best!

Game One: Catamounts 17, Dragons 4
Potomac State came out hot in game one, immediately jumping to a 3-0 lead off two RBI doubles. The Dragons would keep it close, scoring off a throwing error in the bottom of the first to make it 3-1. Over the next three innings, the Dragons would shut down Potomac State's batters, with starting pitcher Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel) putting on a show. Meanwhile, a Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) home run got the Dragons within one run, though scoring against the leading pitcher in Region 20, Chloe Greise, was going to be tough.

Madison Fably made the play of the game in the fourth when she lunged to catch a fly ball in shallow right field, then made the throw to first for the double play. A bases-loaded situation in the top of the fifth allowed the Catamounts to score one run, but a Howard pitching change got the Dragons out of the jam. Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) was able to draw the final out, and in the bottom of the inning, Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) and Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game at 4-4. It would be the closest the Dragons would get, as Potomac State's offense finally woke up. The Catamounts scored 13 unanswered runs over the next two innings, aided by crucial errors from the Dragons fielders. What had been a close-fought 4-4 game ended in a 17-4 blowout loss.

Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) and Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) were responsible for all four of the Dragons runs. Webb had two hits, two RBIs, and two home runs. Johnson record two hits, one RBI, a home run, and a double. Holly Ryan (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) had two hits as well. Morgan Ryan (Laurel, MD/Atholton) and Raegan Perkes (Laurel, MD/Laurel) combined for four streikouts.

Game Two: Catamounts 9, Dragons 6
Game two started with a pitcher's duel, as Howard's ace Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) took the mound. Steele shut down the side to open the first two innings, then gave the Dragons their first run off an error by Potomac State's right fielder. The Catamounts would respond with three runs in the top of the third, but Howard made it clear they were not going down without a fight. Holly Ryan's (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) RBI double got Howard within a run, and an error on an infield fly by the Catamounts allowed the tying run to score.

Potomac State loaded the bases in the top of the fourth, before Region 20 home run leader Jamie Kelly smacked a grand slam. Now trailing 7-3, the Dragons continued to chip away at the lead. Another Potomac State throwing error allowed Giana Sablan (Hagatna, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) to score, and Marissa Webb's (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) single brought home Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton). Now the Dragons trailed 7-5, and Steele's control of the mound kept Potomac State from adding more runs in the fifth.

The Catamounts broke through to score another run in the top of the sixth on a Kameron Beck single, and a pair of errors from the Dragons got more Catamounts on base. But Steele stayed strong, drawing the last outs to end the inning. Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) then smacked a first-pitch home run to kick off the sixth, making it 8-6 entering the final frame. Potomac State got a home run to start the inning, but that was all they could manage against Steele and the Dragons tough fielding. Howard kicked off the bottom of the seventh by getting two runs aboard, though Potomac State's reliever did manage two outs. Courtney Johnson (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) smacked a deep fly ball to left field that landed fair, which loaded the bases. But Sophia Steele's (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) attempt to make it home for a crucial run was cut off when the left fielder made a deep throw to get her out. A frustrating ending saw the Dragons fall 9-6.

Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales) finished the evening with two runs, two hits, and two RBIs. Micah Howell (Columbia, MD/Atholton) smacked two hits, two runs, and a double, while Holly Ryan (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) had two hits and a double as well. Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) smacked two hits and one RBI, while striking out four batters in a complete game.

The Dragons next face Montgomery College on Wednesday, April 9 on the road at 3:00 PM.