Close contests the rule so far for Skipjacks
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The Skipjacks are certainly getting lots of experience in playing close women's softball games.
Chesapeake College split two more doubleheaders Friday and Saturday with three one-run games and all four contests decided by two runs or less. The Skipjacks followed a 6-4 loss to Kellogg (Mich.) Community College with a 2-1 win over Macomb (Mich.) Community College on Friday. They then defeated Waubonsee (Ill.) Community College, 7-5, in Saturday's first game before dropping a 5-4 decision to Cumberland (N.J.) County College in the nightcap.
The Skipjacks (3-3) have split all three doubleheaders so far on the trip, with four one-run games and just one outcome decided by more than two runs.
"Generally, playing one-run games is going to help you," Chesapeake head coach Durrie Hayes said of all the tight, early season battles. "Playing the tough competition we're playing down here should also help us later in the season."
Hayes said the Skipjacks – who have made 14 errors in six games – need to improve their defensive play.
"I think we've got good defensive players, but we're doing things like missing ground balls, not turning double plays, dropping fly balls, and missing cutoffs," said Hayes. "That being said, it's the first three doubleheaders of the year. Still, that's surprised me. At this point, I thought our defense would be our strength."
Chesapeake has given up only 11 earned runs, but has allowed just as many unearned tallies.
"It's a shame because we could very easily be 6-0 and should be 5-1," said Hayes. "You give up 11 earned runs in six games, you should be winning more than half your games. But they're learning."
Chesapeake, which had an off day Sunday, comes back with a Monday doubleheader against Anoka-Ramsey (Minn.) Community College (0-4) at 10 a.m. and noon.
Kellogg 6, Chesapeake 5
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The Skipjacks put together a four-run first against Rebekah VanDam, but VanDam allowed just one run the rest of the way in a complete-game effort.
VanDam (three strikeouts) yielded only two hits, but walked six. Three of those walks came in the first inning, which was highlighted by Savannah Miller's three-run homer and Kristina Shank's RBI double.
Taylor Snyder's two-run, fourth-inning single erased a 5-4 deficit and proved to be the winning hit for the Bruins (7-2). Snyder and Maddison Spry (two RBI) each had two hits to lead Kellogg.
Chloe Day (four strikeouts, one walk) gave up six earned runs on seven hits in a complete-game loss.
Chesapeake 2, Macomb 1
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Winning pitcher Rachael Milligan went the distance, spacing two hits and five walks while whiffing four in a complete-game victory.
Chesapeake manufactured a run for a 1-0 lead in the second when Cat Ramagnano was hit by a bases-loaded pitch. Abby Nelson's third-inning, RBI hit made it 2-0.
Macomb ruined Milligan's shutout bid with a seventh-inning run, but the Monarchs (2-5) couldn't get the tying run on base.
Savannah Miller and Jenna Willey (double) each went 2-for-3 for the Skipjacks.
Chesapeake 7, Waubonsee 5
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Abby Nelson went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs to pace Chesapeake's seven-hit offense.
Chesapeake broke a 3-3, third-inning tie by scoring two runs on a botched rundown by the Chiefs (1-8). Nelson's two-out, two-run double in the fifth extended the Skipjacks' lead to 7-4.
Rachael Milligan struck out eight, walked five and allowed seven hits in a complete-game triumph.
Cat Ramagnano had a two-run, second-inning single to give Chesapeake a 3-1 lead and Savannah Miller contributed a double to the Skipjacks' offense.
Cumberland 5, Chesapeake 4
TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Chesapeake overcame a 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead, but Cumberland's two-run fifth inning proved to be the margin of victory.
Danielle Cornman's three-run homer staked Cumberland to a 3-0, first-inning lead. The Skipjacks, however, got back in the game with a two-run third as Kristina Shank delivered a run-scoring triple and came home on Jenna Willey's groundout.
Abby Nelson's fourth-inning, RBI hit pulled the Skipjacks even. In the fifth, Cat Ramagnano singled, stole second, went to third on a grounder and scored on Willey's RBI groundout to give Chesapeake a 4-3 lead.
Cumberland, however, came right back with the winning rally. Liz Carpani's RBI double capped a two-run fifth that included two Chesapeake errors to give the Dukes (5-8) the victory.
Winning pitcher Rosie LaGrotta (two strikeouts) pitched a complete-game five-hitter and did not walk a batter. Kara Wood took the loss despite not allowing an earned run due to five Chesapeake errors.