ABERDEEN, Md. -- At Citi Field – Ripken Experience Aberdeen, the Harford Fighting Owls roared past Brookdale Community College in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, February 28, improving to 2-2 on the season and showcasing a balanced attack both at the plate and on the mound. Harford's offense erupted early and often in Game 1 en route to a 10-5 victory, then responded again in Game 2 with timely hitting and late-inning insurance runs to claim a 7-5 win.
Game 1 Recap: Harford 10, Brookdale 5
The Fighting Owls jumped out of the gate quickly in game one, fueling their offense with early extra-base hits and power at the plate. Harford struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Kayla Gist blasted a two-run homer, driving in teammate Katelyn McCullough to stake the Fighting Owls to an early 2-0 lead.
Brookdale battled back in the second, plating two unearned runs to knot the score, but Harford responded emphatically in the third. A clutch RBI single from Izzy Hiebler scored McCullough, followed by a Noelle Beavers three-run homer, giving Harford a lead they would never relinquish. McCullough added another RBI later in the frame, pushing the advantage to 7-2.
In the sixth, Harford put the game out of reach with three more runs, highlighted by key RBI singles from Audrey Coker and Kaylee Pruett, pushing the lead to 10-3. Brookdale managed two runs in the seventh, but Harford's early offensive surge proved decisive.
Harford's balanced attack featured extra-base power and situational hitting, while pitcher Ashley Merson earned the win, holding Brookdale to five runs over seven innings.
Game 2 Recap: Harford 7, Brookdale 5
Game two was a tighter affair, but once again Harford's bats came alive early. After Brookdale struck first in the opening half inning, Harford answered swiftly. In the third, Hiebler's RBI single tied the game before Beavers added and RBI single and Juliet Sanchez's two-run double gave Harford a 3-1 lead.
The Fighting Owls extended the lead in the fourth when Gist slugged a two-run homer, then Harford added an insurance run in the fifth on a Sanchez RBI double, making it 6-1.
Brookdale mounted a late comeback in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring four runs on a mix of hits and productive outs, tightening the score to 6-5 and mounting pressure on the Fighting Owls. Harford pitcher Kaylee Pruett navigated the rally and held on. With Brookdale threatening again in the seventh, Harford's defense and situational pitching kept the tying run at bay.
Harford's offense again delivered timely hits when needed, and with Pruett earning the win on the mound, the Fighting Owls closed out the sweep and evened their early-season record with a thrilling doubleheader performance.
The Fighting Owls next game is scheduled for March 9 as they head to Carneys Point, N.J. to take on Salem Community College. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.
