- HCPSS Athletics
- Posts
- HCPSS Athletics Weekly Update - Softball Star, Fierce Rivalries and more...
HCPSS Athletics Weekly Update - Softball Star, Fierce Rivalries and more...
The latest high school sports updates for Howard County Athletics powered by CSZ
In partnership with
At CSZ, we work hard to get you the high school sports info you need, faster and easier. This weekly newsletter brings the latest scores, updates and highlights straight to your inbox. If you love it, share it so others can subscribe too!
Visit us anytime at CountySports.Zone
SPOTLIGHT
X-Factor Kiersten Black could be the spark Howard Softball needs
Howard’s 2026 record does not tell the team’s full story.
The Lions are sitting at 3-3 through six games, alternating wins and losses to start the year. They dropped their most recent game 7-5 against Mount de Sales on Wednesday.
An initial look deeper into Howard revealed that typical indicators of poor luck are all present.
They have battled through a difficult schedule, facing Glenelg and Mt. Hebron, who combine for a 9-0 record this year, as the Lions’ only two home opponents.
Howard also has a +19 run differential on the season, standing as one of the best in the county despite an average record. That number would have projected a 4-2 team instead of the current 3-3.
Howard’s ability to enter the county’s top tier entirely depends on reactivating one of the biggest stars in county softball, who is showing signs of an imminent bounce-back.
Two-way player Kiersten Black ‘26 became the Pitcher of the Year in 2025 after an elite season. She hit .564 at the plate and pitched to a 1.43 ERA in 63 ⅔ innings. She made the All-County first team as one of the Lions’ two representatives.
The York College of Pennsylvania commit’s senior season has included a mix of the same incredible level of play alongside some challenges.
Black’s power at the plate has progressed even despite tougher pitching. She has five extra-base hits in six games, matching her start to 2025 and close to her eight total as a junior. Her eight RBIs are already ahead of pace for surpassing her 15 total from that year.
Her time on the mound in 2026 holds the biggest change. Black has a 4.90 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 22 walks. She opened 2025 with two earned runs in 20 ⅔ innings, forming a 0.67 ERA.
Colder weather sticks out as an explanation for the change in Black’s command. She similarly walked multiple hitters in four of her first five games last year, exactly matching this season. Importantly, her raw stuff is still playing up against hitters, proven by five or more strikeouts in 80% of her appearances.
Her Pitcher of the Year season looked somewhat similar by this point of the year. She had a 3.97 BB/7 in March. Her command quickly sharpened in April 2025, which included a no-hitter against Long Reach. Black only walked more than two hitters twice in her seven appearances that month. She recorded a 1.75 BB/7 in that May, issuing only three walks.
Black’s first appearance in April already reflected improvement and cause for optimism for the rest of her senior campaign. She limited Mount de Sales to three walks after issuing 14 total in her prior two outings.
The Lions’ regaining their ace at her best could be the difference in pushing for one of the best county records. The offense remains consistent game to game. The quest for sharper run prevention starts with receiving a Pitcher of the Year worthy April and May from Kiersten Black.
Howard plays three games in three days this week. The Lions will travel to River Hill on Wednesday, return home on Thursday to take on Long Reach and end their week at Atholton on Friday.
County Check-In
Softball 🥎
Mt. Hebron hits the road with one of the county’s last two undefeated records.
The Vikings face an Atholton team that is looking to rebound from its first loss last week.
Mt. Hebron has not lost to Atholton in over a decade, with that streak at risk on Tuesday.
Updates 💬 |
Boys’ Lacrosse 🥍
Guilford Park’s three wins have already passed the program’s total before 2026.
The Panthers’ remaining schedule includes only one current .500 team and plenty of opportunities to stay atop the standings.
Their next step is to face Long Reach, one year after losing to the Lightning 9-1.
Updates 💬 |
Know What Matters in Tech Before It Hits the Mainstream
By the time AI news hits CNBC, CNN, Fox, and even social media, the info is already too late. What feels “new” to most people has usually been in motion for weeks — sometimes months — quietly shaping products, markets, and decisions behind the scenes.
Forward Future is a daily briefing for people who want to stay competitive in the fastest evolving technology shift we’ve ever seen. Each day, we surface the AI developments that actually matter, explain why they’re important, and connect them to what comes next.
We track the real inflection points: model releases, infrastructure shifts, policy moves, and early adoption signals that determine how AI shows up in the world — long before it becomes a talking point on TV or a trend on your feed.
It takes about five minutes to read.
The insight lasts all day.
Baseball ⚾
River Hill will face its toughest opponent on Thursday in a road trip to Centennial.
Since 2022, River Hill and Centennial are 4-4 against each other.
Five of those last eight games ended in a one-run margin.
Updates 💬 |
Girls’ Lacrosse 🥍
Marriotts Ridge has the most county momentum ahead of a game against Centennial.
The Mustangs posted a -5 goal differential in their first two games of the season.
In their last three, Marriotts Ridge has scored 53 goals and allowed just 13.
Updates 💬 |
POSTS FROM THE COMMUNITY
CALLING CONTENT CREATORS 🎬📷📝
Want to be featured here next?
We’re looking for student ambassadors who love sports, media, and telling great stories. Join the CSZ team, build your portfolio, and get your work featured in this newsletter and across our platform.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
What should we cover next? From player milestones to rivalry matchups, we want to hear what matters most to you. Drop us your ideas and help shape the stories in this newsletter.
Contact us at [email protected].