Raleigh, NC - The second and final day of the Triangle Classic JUCO Tournament went much better for the Howard Community College Dragons, as they nearly pulled off the upset against #16 Louisburg College.
The Dragons played hard and out-hit the Hurricanes in both contests, but would fall to an 0-4 record after losing both contests. Despite the losses, the Dragons proved their can compete with ranked opponents in Division II play.
Game One: Hurricanes 6, Dragons 2
Game one of the doubleheader saw the Dragons out-hit the Hurricanes 8-7, but a cadre of errors prevented them from pulling out the win. Louisburg scored three early runs in the top of the third, but Howard was ready to respond. In the bottom of the second,
Madison Falby (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) opened the scoring with an RBI double, then scored herself off an error by Louisburg. The Dragons would dig down defensively over the next five innings, only allowing three more runs to score. However, their offense, while able to get runners on base, couldn't manage to bring anyone home.
Gianna Peluso (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge),
Layla Walker (Laurel, MD/Hammond), and
Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) each managed two hits apiece for the Dragons, with Webb hitting two doubles. Walker also recorded the only stolen base of the contest for the Dragons. Fielding errors proved to be the achilles heel for the Dragons, with eight total keeping Louisburg in the game.
Game Two: Hurricanes 10, Dragons 5
Game two looked to be over before it even began, as the Hurricanes scored ten unanswered runs in the first two innings. Believing they had a run-rule victory in hand, Louisburg pulled their starters for the third inning. That was a mistake.
Sophia Steele's (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) sac-fly in the top of the fourth started the comeback for Howard. In the top of the fifth, the Dragons roared back into the contest.
Katherine Wright (Dayton, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) scored on a passed ball to make it 10-2, then
Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) doubled to bring home
Layla Walker (Laurel, MD/Hammond) and
Madison Falby (Laurel, MD/Reservoir).
Taylor Pence's (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) RBI single brought home Webb to make it a five-run game, but the Dragons comeback stalled out entering the sixth. Webb, who relieved
Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty), shut down Louisburg's offense the rest of the game with six strikeouts, but Howard couldn't add to their total and settled for the 10-5 loss.
Four Dragons scored two or more hits as Howard out-hit the Hurricanes for the second straight game.
Gianna Peluso (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) hit two doubles while Webb and Pence both recorded a stolen base.
The Dragons will host their first home game of the season on Thursday, March 5 against Cecil College at 3:00 PM. Due to field conditions at Kiwanis Wallace Park, the game will be played at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
