Carneys Point, NJ - Howard Community College's softball team wrapped up their spring break road trip to New York and New Jersey with a split series with the Salem Community College Mighty Oaks.

After their second doubleheader of the week was canceled due to poor field conditions, the Dragons headed to Salem for a rematch with the Mighty Oaks. Howard won a gritty victory in game one, then nearly came from behind in a tough game two loss.

Game One: Dragons 10, Mighty Oaks 7
Game one was a tense battle, with both teams trading runs in the opening two innings. Trailing 3-2 in the top of the third, the Dragons got the bases loaded, then emptied them when Madison Hamolia (Odenton, MD/Arundel) hit a fielder's choice that scored two runs. Howard's 4-3 lead was tied in the bottom of the inning when the Mighty Oaks smacked a solo home run.

The Dragons got runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth, courtesy of Giana Peluso legging out an infield single and stealing second. Katherine Wright (Dayton, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) and Peluso stole home on back-to-back at-bats to retake the lead, and starting pitcher Jensyn Koonce (Chesapeake, VA/Greatbridge) shut down the Mighty Oaks to get out of the inning.

Howard extended their lead to 8-4 in the top of the fifth thanks to solid hitting from Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) and Madison Falby (Laurel, MD/Reservoir). Salem responded with a pair of runs to make it a two-run game heading into the sixth. The Mighty Oaks began to rally, holding the Dragons scoreless and smacking a home run to make it 8-7. The Dragons halted their advance with nifty fielding, then loaded the bases to start the seventh. Gianna Peluso (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) smashed a deep double to left field to score two runs, making it 10-7 Dragons. In the bottom of the inning, Falby made two great catches in left field on fly balls, and a ground-out ended the contest in a Dragons victory.

Game Two: Mighty Oaks 8, Dragons 5
Salem jumped out to an early lead in game two, leading 4-1 into the third inning. The Dragons loaded the bases in the top of the third, and Kaylee Brogan (Woodbine, MD/Glenelg) smacked a double to left field to bring two runs home. The Dragons then turned a nifty double play in the bottom of the third to snuff out a scoring chance for the Mighty Oaks.

Madison Falby (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) reached third on a fielder's choice to open the fourth, and an infield single from Layla Walker (Laurel, MD/Hammond) scored her to tie the game at 4-4. The Mighty Oaks managed to respond in the bottom of the fifth by getting two runners in scoring position, before a pair of doubles made it 6-4 in their favor. A pitching change for the Dragons didn't stop Salem, as two additional runs scored before the Dragons got out of the inning

Howard managed to prevent the Mighty Oaks from scoring the rest of the game, and got a rally started in the top of the seventh. After two runners got aboard, Taylor Pence (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) smacked a single to center field. Layla Walker (Laurel, MD/Hammond) scored on the play, but Marissa Webb (Hanover, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) was thrown out at third to end the game.

Up Next: Howard returns to Maryland for a crucial Region 20 showdown with Anne Arundel Community College on Wednesday, April 8 at 3:00 PM.