No Days Off the Grind Behind HCC's Softball Success

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Intro

[upbeat music plays]

RYAN RECORD:

Welcome back, Dragons, to Inside the Dragon's Lair, the podcast where we go beyond the box scores and into the heart of Dragon athletics. If you're new here, Inside the Dragon's Lair is all about informing, entertaining, and celebrating the athletes and behind-the-scenes stories that make HCC athletics great. From player perspectives, to team culture, and the moments that make or break a season, we're here to bring you the coverage that you can't get anywhere else.

Today, we're talking about a season that has gone down in the Howard Community College record books. Our softball team has officially set a new program record with 22 wins, earned a top 4 seed in the region 20 playoffs, and secured the first home postseason game in program history. We'll hear more about this sensational season from two players that lived it in just a moment. But first, Let's catch up with Sports Information Director Isaac Donsky.

ISAAC DONSKY:

All right, Ryan. Well, thanks once again for having me on the show, as always. And, hello, everybody. And first things first. I want to say, we did it. The 2025-2026 athletic season is officially over. As somebody who was working on the inside in athletics this season, boy, this was wild.

We're gearing up for our end-of-the-year athletic awards banquet. And one of our partners over at Creighton Media, Nathan Colley, who does a lot of our media days-- he created a recap video for the year. And my goodness. Yeah. It took a while for me to realize just how many amazing things happened this season for the Dragons. And, ooh, there's a lot to talk about.

But let's jump into the recap. Because we've got quite a bit to talk about from the end of the spring's sports season. Now, we're going to start things off with flag football. When we last left off, the Dragons had hosted their first ever home games. They were slowly, but surely developing the team.

And, well, guess what happened? They did something historic. They won their first games in program history. On April 11, the Dragons traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to face off against the Harrisburg Area Community College Hawks where, in two defensive slug fests, the Dragons pulled out 13 to nothing and 7 to 6 victories to score the first two wins in program history, a huge step forward for the program and head coach VerKia Smith really showcasing how far the Dragons have come.

Unfortunately-- and I can't sugarcoat things, so I have to be honest. These would end up being the only two wins of the season. But they did spark something beneath the Dragons. Because Howard started to really perform well down the stretch, over the next couple of games. The Dragons had geared up for the National Collegiate Flag Football League Championships held in Tinton Falls, New Jersey this year.

And while the Dragons lost all three of their national championship games, they put on a show. Howard lost by just 1 point to St. Joseph's, Brooklyn in the opener-- 20 to 19. It was their highest scoring game in program history, up to this point. And the Dragons really showcased their speed with the addition of former track star and cheerleader [INAUDIBLE] to the squad, along with a fully healthy London Galbraith over from women's basketball.

The Dragons had a dangerous pair of running backs that were able to chalk up the yardage. And Howard, slowly but surely, was able to prove over the course of this tournament that they are serious about the growth of this program. Overall, the team's performance towards the end of the season showcases that they are going in the right direction.

And we are really looking forward to see what this team can do next year, now that they've finally gotten those first wins, now that they are fully cementing themselves in NCFFL play, and now that they actually are showing up and competing. So we're excited to see what happens with them.

I want to jump on over next to track and field where, when we last left off, the Dragons had just shattered some school records at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. So let's take a look at what happened during April. Up first was a late addition to the schedule, as the Dragons would head to Fairfax, Virginia and George Mason University, for the Dalton Ebanks Invitational where the Dragons would fine tune before regionals. And as always, regionals were hosted by Howard, here at Dragon stadium.

The 2026 MD JUCO/Region 20 Track and Field Championships would end up being pretty solid for the Dragons. The women's team finished fifth, overall in the region, in a very competitive region, while the men finished second, overall, for the second year in a row. Once again, Howard's big opponent were the Hagerstown Hawks, who came to play. And Hagerstown has some excellent distance runners, but the Dragons did very well and showed up.

Ameer Mowad continued to dominate in the 100 and 200 meter sprints. And one of the biggest surprises of nationals, I would have to say, is Daniel Warner, former cross country player who was placed into the javelin throw. He'd never thrown javelins before-- won the whole thing in his first go and shattered several records, just an absolutely incredible performance for him.

Now, ultimately, the Dragons would finish second overall in the meet behind Hagerstown. So it will be another year of trying to beat those darn Hawks. But it was a good showing for Howard. After that, the Dragons had a couple more meets left. They did very well at the Mustang Stampede Invitational at Stevenson University, finishing third in both the men's and the women's tournament, so they continued to improve there.

Then they had a lot of fun over in Pennsylvania. Half of the team went to Shippensburg University for the Paul Kaiser Classic, while the other half went to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays, one of the biggest track and field meets in all of college track and field. And this is not just NJCAA. This is NCAA.

The Dragons did well in all of those. And following a solid showing at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, the Dragons are now all set for nationals. As we're recording this, Howard will send two athletes to nationals-- Ameer Mowad, who has broken the school record for the 100 hundred meters and will represent Howard in the 100 and 200 meters and Matt Calinda who, after winning the 400 meters at Liberty, will represent Howard at nationals, too. So, Matt and Ameer, best of luck to you.

They'll be heading out to Hobbs, New Mexico, to New Mexico Junior College for the NJCAA National Tournament. Both of them are ranked inside the top 50 in the country for their individual performances, so we're looking forward to see what happens in nationals this weekend.

Let's cut back over to softball who officially wrapped up their season this month. And I have to say, this might be the greatest season in program history. When we last left off, the Dragons had gotten off to a bit of an inconsistent start, but they were showcasing a lot of talent. They had some solid, young players coming up, plus some excellent sophomores that were leading the way.

Things got fun, once spring break hit. The Dragons bullied Monroe-Bronx in a double header to kick off their spring break trip to New York and New Jersey, then split a matchup against a very tough Salem Community College. They then went back to the region, and just took apart Anne Arundel Community College in two games, then took care of business on Strikeout Cancer Day against Harford Community College, including a walk-off victory in game 2.

They bullied Chesapeake College. They then had a pretty tough challenge ahead of them against Mercer County, which was a non-region opponent, but I will say they played well. Both games were very close. And although the Dragons did suffer an injury to their starting catcher, Kat Wright, they did keep it relatively close.

Then came the toughest match of the season, the Dragons taking on CCBC Catonsville, an extremely difficult opponent, somebody who the Dragons have been vicious rivals with, ever since the programs begin. And if the Dragons could win these two games, they would clinch a first-round home playoff game, something that has never happened before in program history.

So what happened? Oh, they just clinched a first-round home playoff game. They swept Catonsville in two amazing games, including an eight-inning thriller in game 2, where they won 18 to 14. The Dragons would clinch the number 4 seed for the Region 20 Tournament and were officially locked in as a top seed.

This had never happened before in program history. It also meant the Dragons would finish the season with a winning record, something that had never happened before, ever. And they broke their single season record for wins, hits, RBIs, home runs, you name it. Statistically, best season in program history, up to this point.

Unfortunately, in the first round, for the third year in a row, the Dragons got Catonsville. And for the third year in a row, Catonsville took down the Dragons. And for the second year in a row, they did it in a full three-game series. Catonsville won game 1 in a shootout, 10 to 7. Howard won game 2-- 6 to 4. Game 3, played under the lights, would see the Cardinals blow the Dragons out-- 11 to 3.

It was a rough way to go. You hate to lose in the first round after a great season, especially to a rival. But what else could be said, except what a year for the Dragons? And what a year that they have coming up. Howard has already signed multiple new prospects. We have a ton of new players coming in.

So everything that was built on by this team and the team that came before, the first 220 win teams in program history, is only going to get better. And we're extremely proud of what softball was able to accomplish this season. And we can't wait to see what's going to happen in the years to come.

Now, let's talk about the big sport of the spring this year. And that was lacrosse because it was quite the ending to a season for the Dragons. When we last left off, Howard had reached the number one ranking in the country for JUCO Lacrosse. However, when you are ranked number one, the last thing you want is to face an arch rival on the road who wants to upset you. And that's what ended up happening.

The Dragons were upset by Harford in their second meeting of the season on April 3-- 21 to 9 in a shocking, blowout loss. But that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the season because the Dragons were almost flawless after that. Howard would respond by taking their frustrations out on Anne Arundel, beating them 31 to 5.

And then, after defeating CCBC Essex 16 to 10 in the final game of the regular season, they clinched the number two seed for the Region 20 Tournament. Now, this year's tournament was going to be a bit different than usual. Anne Arundel withdrew, so only three teams would be in. So the Dragons would just have to play two games, one against CCBC Essex and then one against Harford if they won.

Well, they took care of Essex 17 to 8. And then they faced Harford, their boogeyman, the one team that had been able to beat them all season long. And they did it. They did it. Goalie Lewis Collura played the game of his life. The Dragons won 14 to 9, winning their first Region 20 Championship, since 2018, when they had won back to back titles, clinching the number one seed for the national tournament.

It was an incredible achievement for the Dragons. They had been working and building towards this for almost a decade to get back to the top of Region 20 and dethrone the dominant Harford Fighting Owls. And they have done it and have brought us another Region 20 Championship. The Dragons swept all of the postseason awards.

Erik Foust was named Coach of the Year. Evan Tubb was named Specialist of the Year. Lukas Rozon, the freshman from Ontario, was named Offensive Player of the Year. And Lewis Collura was named Defensive Player of the Year. It was just a phenomenal run for the Dragons.

However, I do regret to inform everyone that this story does not have a happy ending. Because unfortunately, the one team, all season, that could beat the Dragons was Harford. And, lo and behold, who did the Dragons face in the semifinals of the national tournament, but Harford, who had advanced past CCBC Essex in the quarterfinals. And in a back and forth shootout, unfortunately, Harford got the win-- 19 to 14. It was a great game. But unfortunately for the Dragons, it did not go in their favor.

It was a phenomenal year for Howard. There's no other way to put it. A phenomenal year. They were one of the best teams the Dragons program has ever assembled. It just didn't end the way we had hoped. But on the bright side, a lot of those guys are coming back this year.

And if this season has shown us anything, it is that the Howard Community College Dragons-- no matter how many times you put them down, they're going to keep bouncing back. And they're going to keep finding a way to fight back. And while it didn't end the way we had hoped for a lot of our spring sports, at the end of the day, every single sport proved that they are contenders.

And that's something I want to really hit on as we head into the summer. Every single sport looks like they could be a contender for this coming season. The '26-'27 season is going to be a historic year for Howard Community College. Mark my words. Ryan, thank you so much for having me on this year for all of these little sports updates. And we'll keep giving you updates throughout the summer, until we finally hit August, to get those first soccer matches of the year. So this is the big man on the mic, Isaac Donsky. See you next time, folks.

RYAN RECORD:

In our next segment-- the heart of a dragon. We have the pleasure of sitting down with two outstanding student athletes. Today, we're joined by Gianna Peluso and Madison Falby from the HCC softball team, who put in the work to make this past record-breaking season possible. Let's start with some introductions. If each of you could please share your name, position, and major here at HCC.

MADISON FALBY:

Hi, my name is Madison Falby. I'm a catcher and outfielder. And my major is business administration.

GIANNA PELUSO:

My name is Gianna Peluso. I'm an outfielder. And here at HCC. I'm a dual major with elementary education and psychology.

RYAN RECORD:

So, as you know, you were part of a historic season for HCC softball. What did it feel like as a team to break the program record for wins?

MADISON FALBY:

Playing last year, my freshman year, we did great. We actually beat the record for wins in a season. I'm very happy that I was able to be a part of that. But I think this season, we really gelled together and pulled it through. And we made it, too. We had a couple of rough games. But I think being able to rally back, and especially towards the end of our season where we started really grasping, and finally understanding what we needed to do, to come together as a team.

GIANNA PELUSO:

For me, I feel like the record doesn't only mark the success of the season individually, but also, the success that HCC is having as a growing program. We're year five. And I'm really excited to see what else is to come for HCC in these following years.

RYAN RECORD:

Love to hear it. And you're part of the history.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yes, which is amazing. It's awesome.

RYAN RECORD:

You're on the ground floor. It's only up from here.

GIANNA PELUSO:

It feels good.

MADISON FALBY:

Only up from here.

RYAN RECORD:

Well, let me ask you a question. I know we talked about this before we started. You're a sophomore. Next season, you won't be back. Correct? Gianna, are you going to be back next season?

GIANNA PELUSO:

I will not be back next season. I am going to Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida where I will be continuing my softball career. But I will be watching HCC from Florida, so I'll still be updated on it.

RYAN RECORD:

Right on. So what factors do you all think helped your team click this past season the way that it did?

MADISON FALBY:

I think some factors that helped us was definitely hanging out, outside of practices and games. We didn't feel obligated just to see each other during the sectioned hours that we had practiced and be like, OK, all right, I guess just see you tomorrow. We made plans to hang out.

We went to support other sports-- soccer, men's and women's basketball, lacrosse. If you ask any of the athletic department, softball is always there to show up and show out. So we're just trying to make sure that we have good team chemistry, good team camaraderie. And it helps to build the program.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yes, I definitely agree with Madison. Hanging out, outside of practice or even just before or after practice, getting food, definitely helped. Just having an understanding for each other that we're not all the same. We're not all going to act the same way, think the same way, play the same way, especially having a mutual understanding of that. I feel like throughout the season, we kind of started to mesh that and understand that a little bit more, which definitely helped with team chemistry, on and off the field.

MADISON FALBY:

If you don't have the team chemistry, you don't trust each other, so still being able to make the plays. And what you do off the field helps on the field. So being able to communicate with each other, being able to talk to each other better, figure out, hey, OK, we need to talk about this play. How can I get it over to you? How do you better understand that? So just taking time.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yeah, definitely having trust in each other off the field translates to on the field. Because once you trust somebody with life in general, you're going to trust them to make a play. Or even if they don't make a play, you're going to trust them to come back and make the next one.

RYAN RECORD:

Got to trust anybody that's throwing a ball at your head.

GIANNA PELUSO:

For sure, for sure, for sure.

MADISON FALBY:

Softball is a game of errors. So if you can get out of your head after you make one error, it's better for you on the next one.

RYAN RECORD:

Yeah. And I heard softball really does show out for all the other teams.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Oh, absolutely.

RYAN RECORD:

I hope they're taking note.

MADISON FALBY:

At our athletic banquet, they tried to say that men's basketball did better job than us. But it's OK. We'll forgive Isaac for that one. That's cool.

RYAN RECORD:

I also hear you all lead in GPA. And on that note, being a student athlete, as you know, is a full-time job. How do you all balance academics, along with your practices, games, and travel?

MADISON FALBY:

I think, for me, just definitely being able to set aside a certain day. Like Mondays were easiest for me. Mondays or Tuesdays. So I knew that from whatever time I got home, let's say 4:30 to when I went to sleep, that was my time to do my homework.

And then I'd be able to get my homework done, at least the majority of it for the week. So that way, if I had some extra downtime. We would play on Wednesdays. So let's say Thursday, after I finish with classes, I could go back home, look over anything that I needed to turn in before Friday, and then get it finished.

GIANNA PELUSO:

I'm going to say Madison is a lot better than me.

[laughter]

I do have good grades. I will say that. But I'm not as organized as her.

MADISON FALBY:

If I don't do it, it doesn't work. It'll be a week. And I'll be like, oh, I have a week's worth of assignments I need to do Friday. So I have to keep myself regimented.

GIANNA PELUSO:

For me, I'm just looking at the due date, honestly. But I get it done by that due date. Best believe.

MADISON FALBY:

Press the submit button.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yes, exactly.

RYAN RECORD:

I love the dichotomy, philosophy here. But I'm just glad both of y'all are getting your work done.

MADISON FALBY:

Oh, yeah.

RYAN RECORD:

So what made you guys choose Howard Community College over any other program?

MADISON FALBY:

So, for me, our two head coaches-- I haven't always known them on a personal level. But Jill-- she owns a softball facility. It's called Five Star Athletics. And so the girls that I grew up playing with and the girls that I played high school ball with have always gone to Jill for lessons. So looking for schools to come play at-- they were like, why don't you just go play for Jill at HCC? So talking to Shannon and figuring out the logistics of coming here. And then I did a tour, and I loved it. And so that's why I came.

GIANNA PELUSO:

For me, my story is a little bit more complicated. I have a unique situation where I graduated high school a year early. And that was super last second for me. So I found out, really, I was graduating July of 2025, which does not give you a lot of time to find a place.

So, like Madison was saying, Jill owns Five Star Athletics, which I've been seeing Jill for lessons and camps since I was, oh, gosh, maybe 9 years old. So I've known Jill for a long time. And through those individual lessons, she would always bring up HCC, be like, Gianna, you could always go to HCC. You're like, yeah, OK, Jill.

And then one day, it was an option for me. Well, not that it wasn't an option before. But it was like a real life option where I had to make a decision quick. And HCC was there for me. And they were very supporting, especially Coach Shannon. She got me in those classes within 30 minutes. And it was already a late registration, so she got me in there. So, yeah, HCC was super supportive through my early graduation. I had an option to go to IMG Academy, which is in Florida or HCC. And I took the HCC route, and I definitely don't regret any of it.

RYAN RECORD:

Great. And both of you are Howard County girlies, right?

GIANNA PELUSO:

 Yes. Yeah, Marriotts Ridge.

MADISON FALBY:

Yeah, Reservoir. Yeah.

RYAN RECORD:

Out on the borders of Howard County.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yes, two different--

RYAN RECORD:

I know both of you have very good softball programs at your respective alma maters.

MADISON FALBY:

We do. Reservoir is a little bit better than [INAUDIBLE].

GIANNA PELUSO:

We did mercy them when I played them.

MADISON FALBY:

Once out of her entire--

RYAN RECORD:

She did graduate early. She wasn't there for her senior year.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Right. If I was there this year--

MADISON FALBY:

It would have been different. Well, you know.

[laughter]

RYAN RECORD:

So how has the coaching staff helped you grow, both as a player and as an individual, since you've arrived?

MADISON FALBY:

So since arriving, for me, personally, you're fresh out of high school. You don't really know what you're doing yet. You're still trying to figure it out and navigate the ways of the world. But I definitely say Jill and Shannon have helped me grow tremendously as a person and as a player.

Coming in as a freshman, especially catching aspect, I really wasn't that sharp. I feel like I'm a lot sharper now as a player than I was when I came in the fall season of my freshman year. They also care about you individually as a person. Outside of sports, outside of everything else, they care about how you're doing.

As a team, we're really big on mental health. So we have mental health talks. We have mental health practices. We have days where they're like, OK, we're not practicing. We're going to sit in the classroom. We're going to watch a video on mental health. We're going to watch a podcast that Coach Joe has been listening to. Jill is very big on podcasts.

The mental health services that they have over in academic commons-- Shannon is very big on going to go see anyone if you need help. She also checks in on you. She's a great resource. She is open if you want to talk about anything. They don't judge you. They don't make you feel like any problem that you have is too big or anything like that. And they're really good at making sure that you as a person are mentally sound, physically sound, and overall just doing great.

RYAN RECORD:

Wow, talk about going above and beyond.

MADISON FALBY:

I know, right?

GIANNA PELUSO:

More on the softball side of things, they definitely prepare you if you're continuing on to a four-year school. And it's very much collegiate coaching. So at a community college or JUCO, it really prepares you to go to a four year. And I would say Jill and Shannon definitely prepare you to go to a four year.

They hold you to a standard. And sometimes, even though I can't see that standard for myself now, it's very special to have somebody that sees that standard for you and can see a little beyond what your vision of what you see for yourself. And I appreciate that. And I think their coaching has definitely prepared me to go play at a four-year level.

MADISON FALBY:

I think having two coaches that played at high division I schools where they were coached hard, where they were told, this is the way things have to work, and this is the way that programs should be ran. But I think that they do a good job at making sure that it's not just all hard. They take time to explain to us the beneficial things that come out of practices.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yeah, for sure. I would also agree that they do a really good job, explaining how to do it, just, for example, hitting and Coach Jill. It's really nice to have somebody that's right in your corner, that you can trust fully with what you're doing with your swing. Because I'm particular about my swing and who is telling me what to do with my swing. But I can tell you, if Coach Jill tells me to do something with my swing, I'm going to listen. Yeah.

RYAN RECORD:

That's great and especially since you all have the repertoire, going back a decade or so with Jill, at least. How do you all hold each other accountable, like on game days amongst the players?

MADISON FALBY:

So I think that it starts in practice at first, being able to just say-- we've had some rough practices as a team. Every team has some rough practices. But I think being able to build on those and get better is the thing that really helps us. Being able to realize that your teammate may be getting frustrated at a play that we're making. Or sometimes it's just a rough day for them, so being able to say, hey, I know that you're struggling on this. Or I know that these certain things aren't working and being able to translate over to games.

Everyone makes an error. Everyone has a rough play or something like that. But being able to pick your teammate up-- hey, I got you in the next one, or you got the next one, or going over with them about what could have been better, how they could have moved their feet better, how the swing could have been better, what better pitches they could have chosen in order to get ahead in that at bat, so just different things like that.

GIANNA PELUSO:

And going off of what Madison said, especially picking each other back up doesn't mean just speaking and saying it vocally, but also, being there when it's your turn. I'm a big believer in lead by example. So I feel like once people lead by example, that will translate over to the accountability piece. And I think they go hand in hand together. Communication was also a really big thing for us this season.

Me and Madison were sometimes playing next to each other a lot of the time-- center field and left field. So if one of us makes an error, we pick each other up. We're like, hey, you got the next one. But also, especially, if I'm in center field and I've seen a hitter hit before, I'm going to be like, hey, Madison, move over a few steps, move in a few steps, so just really communicating to each other and especially having that trust in each other. I think it all just translates over to accountability. And they all just correlate with each other.

RYAN RECORD:

Setting each other up for success. And I dig that. Great analogy. Not a metaphor. It's legit. Move over a few steps. This girl likes to pull it.

MADISON FALBY:

We have a mantra this season called Row the Waves. W is we over me. A is accountability. V is vitality. E is energy. And S is standard. But that was definitely a big thing for us. We got these blue shirts printed. So you have the HCC Dragon on the front, over your heart. And then, on the back, it says "Row the Waves." And it lists all the acronyms for the letters.

RYAN RECORD:

Love a good acronym.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Of course.

RYAN RECORD:

And on that note, speaking on energy, in your opinion, who, on the team, brings the most energy on game day?

MADISON FALBY:

I think it might be Marissa.

GIANNA PELUSO:

That's what I was going to say.

MADISON FALBY:

Yeah, Marissa might beat us about a good percentage of days. But I think it depends on the play. I think it depends on however the day is going. But I think we all do a pretty good job at making sure that the energy stays high, but Marissa definitely beats us.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Her vocal levels definitely go above ours, above and beyond.

MADISON FALBY:

 I mean, imagine watching a 6' 2" girl in the dugout, screaming at you. You'd be like, oh, my god. What's happening right now?

GIANNA PELUSO:

 I don't know if I can beat that one.

[laughter]

RYAN RECORD:

And finally, what would you say to anybody who's interested in playing softball, here at HCC?

MADISON FALBY:

Play for a program that cares for you. No matter where you go, find a program that's going to care for you. And I know that it's hard in the trial aspect when you're going around, and you're looking at programs, and you're saying, oh, I'm trying to imagine where I see myself.

But you can really figure yourself out, here at HCC with people that care for you, with a program that cares for you within athletics department that cares for you, even with our president, and our vice president, and the Board of Trustees who come out and support us, who make sure that we have all of the things that we need. And so thankful that we get the support and the level of care that we do as a program, even as a growing program. We're team 5. And look at what we've done so far. So why not come be a part of a winning program? Be a part of a winning squad.

GIANNA PELUSO:

I would say be ready to work.

MADISON FALBY:

Oh, definitely.

GIANNA PELUSO:

I feel like there is a bit of a false reputation on JUCOs of it's a step down and it's easier. And I learned pretty quickly that it's not easier, and it's not a step down. It's just preparing you, which can sometimes be harder. Because when you're unprepared and figuring out how to get prepared, could be harder.

So I would say get ready to work, for sure. Be ready to go to practice. Be ready to do all the extra work. Don't take it for granted. Don't think this is the easy way out or a step down. Because I can tell you, I can promise you it's not. I remember the coaches telling us at the beginning. They were saying, you're going to be tired. We're practicing almost every day. I was thinking in my head, OK, how tired can I be? I can tell you, by the end of that season, I was like, woo. All right.

MADISON FALBY:

 You're excited for a little bit extra sleep.

GIANNA PELUSO:

For sure, for sure. So, yeah, get ready to work is my biggest piece of advice I could give to those girls.

RYAN RECORD:

Amazing. Well, ladies, I know the HCC softball team is going to be missing you all dearly next season. You all laid out the building blocks for success, for years to come.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Yes, I'm excited what they have to bring.

MADISON FALBY:

I'm excited to see the longevity of the program.

GIANNA PELUSO:

For sure.

RYAN RECORD:

Well, they're just getting started.

MADISON FALBY:

Yeah, for sure.

RYAN RECORD:

Don't rest on your laurels. You got a lot to play for in the future. So I wish each and every one of you all the best. On behalf of Dragon podcast, the entire HCC softball team, Madison, Gianna, thanks for hopping on Inside the Dragon's Lair today.

MADISON FALBY:

Thank you so much.

GIANNA PELUSO:

Thanks for having us.

RYAN RECORD:

This season has marked a major milestone for Dragon softball, not just because of the record-breaking wins, but because of the growth and momentum surrounding this program moving forward. From strong performances on the field to the culture being built behind the scenes, it's clear that this year's team has helped shape a new chapter in Dragon country's history.

Outro

Podcast Producer:

As always, our goal on Inside the Dragon's Lair is to inform, entertain, and celebrate the student athletes and stories that make HCC athletics special. You can listen to Inside the Dragon's Lair and all of Dragon podcast content on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Just be sure to subscribe and follow HCC athletics and Dragon podcasts on social media for important news and updates. Thanks for listening. And we'll see you next time, right here, Inside the Dragon's Lair. This is Ryan Record signing out.

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