2026Softball;
1
Howard Community College HOWARD C
6
Winner USC Sumter USC SUMT
Howard Community College HOWARD C
1
Final
6
USC Sumter USC SUMT
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Howard Community College HOWARD C 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 4
USC Sumter USC SUMT 5 0 0 1 0 0 X 6 9 1

W: A. Hooks (1-2) L: Webb, Marissa (0-1)

1
Howard Community College HOWARD C
16
Winner Gaston College GASTON C 21-3
Howard Community College HOWARD C
1
Final
16
Gaston College GASTON C
21-3
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Howard Community College HOWARD C 0 0 1 0 0 1 7 3
Gaston College GASTON C 7 2 6 1 X 16 11 0

W: C. Kelly (2-0) L: Steele, Sophia ()

Game Recap: Softball | | Isaac Donsky

Triangle Classic Opener Goes Sour for Dragons

Raleigh, NC - The 2026 softball season kicked off a week later than expected for the Howard Community College Dragons, as they dropped their opening two games against USC Sumter and Gaston College to open the 2026 Triangle Classic JUCO Tournament.

The Dragons had originally been scheduled to play four games the weekend of February 21, but poor field conditions at Richard Bland College led to a cancellation of all four games. The opening day of the following road trip to Raleigh was canceled due to weather, leading to an abridged opening weekend for the Dragons.

Game 1: Fire Ants 6, Dragons 1
Howard began their 2026 campaign against the USC Sumter Fire Ants in a game that was pushed to Saturday due to weather. The Dragons found themselves down 5-0 after the first inning, but strong defensive play kept the Fire Ants from adding to their lead. Gianna Peluso (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge), one of several bright new additions to the Dragons this year, opened the scoring with an RBI double in the top of the fourth to give Howard life.

Unfortunately, the Dragons were unable to cut further into the lead, and a sixth run scored by Sumter in the bottom of the fourth iced the contest. Peluso's two hits, one double, and stolen base proved to be the highlights of Saturday's first contest.

Game 2: Rhinos 16, Dragons 1
Game two of the day didn't go much better for HCC, as the Dragons were dominated by the #23 Gaston College Rhinos. Gaston scored nine unanswered runs in the first two innings before Howard finally connected on a Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) home run. The score did little to stop the bleeding, as Gaston scored six more runs in the bottom of the third to take a commanding lead.

Webb's home run was the lone bright spot for the Dragons. Sophia Steele (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) managed a pair of hits at the plate, but allowed 15 runs on the mound in her first start of the season. Five other Dragons managed a hit, though nobody could break through Gaston's defense.

The Dragons next face #16 Louisburg College on Sunday to wrap up the Triangle Classic.
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