'Jacks blank ACM twice as win streak hits 21
WYE MILLS – Cat Ramagnano and Courtney Stubbs each had a single and double while driving in a combined six runs.
And that was just what happened in the third inning of Saturday's 20-0 win over visiting Allegany College of Maryland, which completed Chesapeake College's sweep of the outmatched Trojans.
It was that kind of doubleheader for the Skipjacks, who sent 16 batters to the plate in Game 2's 11-run third. Chesapeake – which also blanked the Trojans, 9-0, in the opener – extended its winning streak with 21 straight with the sweep.
Rachael Milligan threw a two-hit shutout in the opener and Chloe Day did likewise in the nightcap for the Skipjacks (24-3 overall, 12-0 league). Chesapeake now have a dozen shutouts for the season.
"Our pitching – it's hard to say too much about the pitching because it's been so good," said Chesapeake head coach Durrie Hayes. "Overall our defense has been very good. On offense, we've been getting so many contributions from so many different people and we're starting to hit with power again."
Thanks to Frederick Community College's 3-0 upset of CCBC-Catonsville (23-13, 11-3), the Skipjacks now have a three-game lead with six games remaining in the conference race and hold the tie-breaker advantage over the Cardinals.
"It ain't over until it's over, but we're in pretty good shape," acknowledged Hayes, whose team has league doubleheaders remaining against Frederick, Hagerstown Community College and Montgomery College.
In Saturday's nightcap, Abby Nelson (2-for-3, two RBI) had a run-scoring hit and Savannah Miller delivered an RBI groundout during a three-run first. Kristina Shank crushed a three-run, second-inning homer to stretch Chesapeake's lead to 6-0.
The 11-run third included two-run doubles by both Stubbs and Ramagnano, with Ramagnano also driving in two runs later in the frame with a single to give her four RBI that inning. Miller (3-for-4, four RBI) joined Stubbs (2-for-4, three RBI) and Ramagnano (4-for-4, four RBI) with two third-inning hits for Chesapeake.
Day struck out 10 in the five-inning contest with two walks. Milligan, meanwhile, struck out nine with no walks while twirling the Game 1 shutout.
In the opener, Miller (3-for-3) had an RBI single to highlight a two-run first and Ramagnano (2-for-2, triple, two steals) contributed a run-scoring hit as part of a three-run second. Nelson (RBI) and Tori Hughes each went 2-for-3 in Game 1 for the Skipjacks.
Hayes was happy to see Hughes – just back from a hand injury – return with a hot bat.
"Tori is 8-for-14 in four games since returning," noted Hayes. "Having her back certainly helps. And Caroline Clarry's been hitting the ball hard, too."
The Skipjacks, who lost power-hitting shortstop Jenna Willey for the season due to a knee injury, are also benefiting from the addition of Stubbs, on loan from the college's volleyball program.
"She had a good high school [softball] career at Colonel, which is a good program," Hayes said of Stubbs, who had a 4-for-4 hitting performance against Harford in one of her first games. "She's athletic and has played travel ball – she's got some experience with good teams. We were very fortunate to be able to get Courtney."
Chesapeake 7, Rowan College 3
PEMBERTON, N.J. – Kristina Shank doubled, tripled and drove in two runs while going 3-for-4 in Friday's opening game of a doubleheader to spark the Skipjacks.
Tori Hughes (RBI) and Savannah Miller (solo homer) each had two hits for Chesapeake, while Caroline Clarry drilled a two-run single as part of a three-run first inning to put the Skipjacks in front to stay.
Rachael Milligan scattered six hits over seven innings with 11 strikeouts and just one walk to earn the pitching victory.
Chesapeake 10, Rowan College 1
PEMBERTON, N.J. – Tori Hughes went 3-for-3 with a double and drove in two runs to pace Chesapeake Friday as the Skipjacks completed a doubleheader sweep.
Brittney Platt (double, two RBI), Abby Nelson (double, RBI) and Savannah Miller (RBI) each had two hits for Chesapeake. Kristina Shank tripled, walked, was hit by a pitch and drove in a run.
Caroline Clarry contributed two RBI.
Winning pitcher Chloe Day yielded eight hits in the six-inning game with seven strikeouts and no walks, allowing only an unearned run.