Cardinals Win Wild Contest to Advance in Playoffs

CCBC Catonsville's softball team won a wild back-and-forth contest on Monday over Howard Community College, defeating the Dragons 9-7.

After waiting out the rain from Saturday, the Cardinals took game one of the series 9-1. them came back from a 5-0 defecit to sweep Howard. The victory propelled the Cardinals to their first Region 20 final four since 2021.

Things got off to a rough start for the Cardinals as Howard opened up a 5-0 lead after two innings. Catonsville would eat into the lead in the bottom of the second, as freshman center fielder Cassidy Barth (Western Tech) and sophomore right fielder Caelyn Voss (Catonsville) scored off errors.

It was an error that caused the turning point of the contest. In the bottom of the third, the Cardinals had gotten two on with two outs. Freshman designated player Ellora Edquist (Home School) hit what should have been an outfield flyout, but the right fielder dropped the ball. The error cleared the bases, putting Catonsville one run behind the Dragons.

Howard responded with an RBI single in the top of the fourth, only for the Cardinals to complete the comeback half an inning later. In the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals began their rally when sophomore second baseman Katie Weaver (Eastern Tech) scored on a fielder's choice. With two on, freshman third baseman Rachel Cox (Dundalk) hit a massive single that cleared the bases and gave Catonsville a 7-6 lead. Cox then stole third and scored off a sac-fly from freshman first baseman Sarah Devilbiss (Fairfield Area).

Howard had one last chance in the top of the sixth, as an RBI double made it 8-7 Cardinals. Catonsville responded in the bottom of the inning, as Edquist, who had relieved starting sophomore pitcher Kayleigh Rishel (Leonardtown) in the top of the fourth, hit an RBI single to bring home a run. Edquist then shut down the Dragons last gasp in the top of the seventh to send Catonsville to the final four.