Chesapeake loaded for softball title run
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – It's not enough that the Skipjacks have six starters and a valued reserve back from last year's NJCAA Division II Region XX tournament finalists. Chesapeake College head women's softball coach Durrie Hayes also effectively plugged the few holes created by graduation, giving the Skipjacks an excellent shot to field another state and region title contender.
"On paper, we look good," said Hayes, whose team plays 10 games over six days here on the squad's annual spring break trip. "We've got the opportunity to hit a lot of home runs and we have more team speed than we've had in the recent past.
"We've got experienced pitching and our defense also looks very solid," added Hayes, whose Skipjacks split a season-opening doubleheader that included a combined no-hitter by Chesapeake pitchers Kara Wood and Brittney Platt against Sauk Valley Community College and an extra-inning loss to Cumberland County Community College. "We've also got the opportunity to hit a lot of home runs and we have more team speed than we've had."
Kristen Catlin, who caught last year, will split her time between catcher and first, while Victoria Hughes (second), Jenna Willey (shortstop), and Platt (third) also return to the infield.
"Kristen is a smart, quick player who's always been a good catcher," said Hayes. "She's been a very pleasant surprise at first. Torrie played at first for us last year, but is back at her natural position at second, and Brittney is very solid at third in addition to batting cleanup."
As for Willey, Hayes said, "Solid doesn't quite cover it. She bats third and is really strong at shortstop. She's got power and she can hit the ball to all fields, which really makes her dangerous."
Wood and fellow pitcher Rachael Milligan also return from last year's team, with Wood coming off back surgery.
"Bless her heart, she pitches with pain, sucks it up and doesn't complain," Hayes said of Wood, who allowed two walks and struck out one in four innings in the 13-0 win over Sauk Valley. Platt yielded two walks while pitching the fifth inning and Willey (3-for-4, two doubles, four RBI), freshman Abigail Nelson (3-for-3, walk, RBI) and Hughes (2-for-4, two RBI) led the offense.
"We're looking for good things from our whole pitching staff," said Hayes, adding Milligan finished the preseason in a good groove and freshman hurler Chloe Day "adds a lot to our staff."
Day limited Cumberland to two runs on five hits in five innings on Thursday, but Cumberland rallied for a 5-4, eight-inning win. Willey (2-for-3), Miller, Nelson and Cat Ramagnano each had doubles while Catlin joined Willey with two hits.
Utility player Caroline Clarry is the seventh returner for the Skipjacks.
"Caroline can play right or left and she can also play first," Hayes said. "She's more of an outfielder, but certainly capable of playing first, which allows us to do some other things if we need to. She also the hardest worker we've got."
Nelson, who will split her time between catcher and first is "solid, smart and well-coached".
Fellow freshmen Kristina Shank, Savannah Miller and Ramagnano will all roam the outfield, with Ramagnano likely to play mostly in center even though Hayes said "we've got three center fielders out there. All three of them have great speed."
Hayes said that if "things work out, we're going to be hard to beat" while adding he knows the Skipjacks play in a challenging conference and region.
"I don't know who's going to be tough. It's too early to tell," said Hayes. "I don't know who will be in the three- or four- or five-team race, but you can bet there will be a three- or four- or five-team race. It's going to be a dogfight."