Chesapeake

1985 was the last time that Chopticon softball got to hoist a state championship trophy. After a 40-year drought and two chances at the title in the past 10 years, this year's team ended their drought, beating Sherwood in the Class 3A title 5-3. "It was awesome," said senior pitcher Carrie Hayden. "Obviously, winning and accomplishing that after losing in 2022, it was great." Over the last decade, Chopticon had the chance to win the 3A title in 2016 and 2022 but fell short both times. This season, Chopticon finished with a 21-2 record, both losses coming to Leonardtown. When the opportunity came this season to play in the 3A title game, emotions were high, but many saw the chance to win. "I was really excited when we were going into that game," said senior catcher Cassie Wolfe. "I had a pretty good feeling that it was our year. " The Braves gained a two 2-0 lead early on thanks to Hayden ripping an RBI triple, her first of two on the night. As the innings continued to progress, Chopticon extended their lead, which led to the 5-3 win, the first championship win for Head Coach Kevin Cioppa. According to the players, much of the team's success this year comes from the strong bond they have formed throughout the years. Many of them have been playing travel ball since they were eight, which has helped them form long-lasting friendships and strong chemistry on the field. "I think we had a really, like, tight-knit group this year, and there wasn't a lot of drama between our girls," said Wolfe. "I mean, we all got along, and I think that really helped, like, the strength of the team."

Leonardtown softball had been one of the top teams in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) all season. With only one loss to Huntingtown, they captured the SMAC title and the Class 4A title for consecutive years. "Last year was not an expected experience, and that is something that they shock themselves with," said Head Coach Kim Woodburn. "They had that desire to continue and to reach for those same goals again, and they worked really hard all year to make sure that that happened." This year, Woodburn had all but one player return on her roster to make all those milestones happen. One of those returners was MaxPreps' Maryland softball player of the year, Claire Radford. The senior pitcher has been a part of the Leonardtown softball program all four years. When she first began with the team, she started at shortstop but was actively pitching then. It was not until the senior pitcher quit that she realized the opportunity had opened. "I kind of had to step up towards the end of my freshman year and finish out the season pitching-wise," she explained. Radford began to see growth within herself while pitching freshman year. That growth continued to show during her time at Leonardtown. During her junior year, she hit 200 career strikeouts, even throwing a five-inning perfect game in the 2024 Class 4A title game against Eleanor Roosevelt. During the 4A title game this year, Radford added to her resume, tallying 16 strikeouts and only allowing two hits. She finished her senior season with a 0.71 ERA and more than 500 career strikeouts to end her career at Leonardtown. "I'm just really proud of myself for being able to show that I can… still make a difference in the Leonardtown program, and even in just SMAC," Radford says. Radford is heading to the University of South Carolina-Aiken in the fall and is looking forward to growing as a pitcher.

The Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) has 14 teams, but three stood out this past softball season: Huntingtown, Chopticon, and Leonardtown. All three schools captured their respective class titles in May. Huntingtown Wins Class 2A Title 3-2 vs. Stephen Decatur After losing 4-2 to Rising Sun in the 2A title game in 2024, Huntingtown had the opportunity to redeem themselves against Stephen Decatur on the same stage and did so, beating them 3-2. "After losing last year, and just coming back and winning, it feels great," said senior pitcher Jordyn Greever. Greever threw a complete game, even managing to escape a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning to help her team win. After her performance, head coach Mike Johnson credited Greever, calling her the best pitcher in the state of Maryland. "I've been able to watch Jordan now for four years, progressively work harder and harder and harder to get to this point," voiced Johnson. This was the first time the Hurricanes had won the state title since 2019. It was also Johnson's sixth title with Huntingtown and tenth overall in Maryland. Chopticon Wins First State Title In 40 Years Chopticon had not won a state title in 40 years. However, their 5-3 win against Sherwood changed history. "I feel like it hasn't hit me, like how crazy it is," exclaimed senior pitcher Carrie Hayden. "The fact that it literally has been 40 years since we've won, and that we did win, like I don't think it's like, set in yet like how big of a deal it is." Throughout the season, the Braves only lost two games, both to Leonardtown. But those two losses helped the team strengthen its bond on the field and grow closer to one another. Chopticon had two chances within the last ten years to win the 3A title in 2016 and 2022, but fell short both times. When the opportunity came this season to return to the same stage, they dominated, giving Head Coach Kevin Cioppa his first state championship. Leonardtown Wins 4A Title Two Years In A Row For the second year in a row, Leonardtown softball won the Class 4A title, this time against Winston Churchill 5-0. This season, all of the Raiders rosters returned but one player, which benefited Head Coach Kim Woodburn and fueled the team's goal to become back-to-back state champions. "They worked really hard all year to make sure that happened, or I should say all season," stated Woodburn. One of those returners was senior pitcher Claire Radford, who finished her season and career at Leonardtown with over 500 career strikeouts and a 0.71 ERA. In the 4A title game, she threw a complete game, allowing only two hits and adding an RBI single to help seal the shutout win. "I think I push myself even harder to make sure that I was able to improve on what I had put into last year," Radford stated in regards to this season. The Maryland softball player of the year is taking her talents to the University of South Carolina-Aiken and credits Leonardtown for helping her grow into the player she is. "They definitely gave me a lot of confidence," said Radford. Conclusion Taking three out of the four state titles is rare for a conference to do, but that shows how competitive SMAC is. Many athletes across SMAC have played travel ball together, which helps gain a sense of familiarity within the conference and teams. Chopticon players Brooke Colliflower, Cassidy Wolfe, and Cioppa all emphasized how the success within each team, alongside the close games and competitiveness, add to that reputation within the conference. “I think that the SMAC conference is one of the best conferences in the state, and I think it has been for a long time,” said Cioppa.

After falling short in the Class 2A title in 2024, Huntingtown softball redeemed themselves with a 3-2 win against Stephen Decatur this season. “It feels awesome,” said senior pitcher Jordyn Greever. “Especially after the past years, and after losing last year, and just coming back and winning, it feels great.” After heartbreak towards the end of the 2024 season, the Hurricanes (18-3) came in with one goal: winning a state championship after losing one on the same stage. But last year’s experience made the team want to work harder. Coming into the season, they lost three seniors, but added three new freshmen who fit in well with the group. Throughout their season, their strength and bond was present on the field, leading them to an 18 win season, and a state title. During the 2A title game, Greever was able to throw a complete game, even when the times were tough. In the sixth inning, the Hurricanes had one out with bases loaded, but Greever was able to stay calm and composed to help secure the victory. After her performance, she received high praise from Head Coach Mike Johnson, who called her the best pitcher in the state of Maryland. “I've been able to watch Jordan now for four years, progressively work harder and harder and harder to get to this point,” said Johnson. For Huntingtown, this is their first state title win since 2019, and for Johnson, his sixth with the program, and tenth state championship overall in Maryland. “It was just amazing to sit back and watch. It's probably the most fun I've had in a long, long time coaching a team,” said Johnson.

Senior Claire Radford strikes out 16 in a complete game shutout, leading Leonardtown to a 5-0 win and the Class 4A softball title again! 🔥🥎

With the sun shining and bats ready, the Leonardtown Raiders stormed into the Girls 4A Softball State Championships this week with a win against the Churchill Bulldogs by 5-0! Leonardtown also finished with 15 strikeouts. What a showdown!

With the game tied 1-1 in the 4th, they broke away from Stephen Decatur in the 6th and never looked back — clinching the win 3-2! 🔥💪🥎

Leonardtown was down 6 to 4 in the top of the seventh. Lindsay Hunter hit a three run home run to take the lead.

Leonardtown delivers an absolutely stunning performance in the softball championship! They secure a remarkable 14-0 win in just 5 innings, playing a perfect game!

This game was played on 4/22/2023. Lindsay Hunter had 2 home runs and Sarah Fortescue and Morgan Moritz each had a homerun. Several solid hits by the whole team lead to the win. countysports.zone/scores/view/TadbMHAk3xqXyH91Gih_l

Freshman pitcher Sydney Aguilar led the Patriots with 10 strikeouts and a two for two day at the plate with a triple and scoring 3 runs. Senior shortstop Reagan McCoy contributed a three for three day with three doubles, 3 RBI, and three runs scored. countysports.zone/scores/view/9s1jBIRoyFIoUcaT2lmxH

First time Calvert has beaten Huntingtown in over 10 years. countysports.zone/scores/view/yqyHjuW3gnLN0kZF6XuXd

Caroline Morey pitched a no-hitter in her first start with 12 strikeouts. countysports.zone/scores/view/5B2O7sis1DXnM1Hbge_2F

Kayleigh Rishel had 13 SO countysports.zone/scores/view/FoIL9iDQAUx3zjA7ejweF