South II

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.

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! 🔥💪🥎

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