Skipjacks snap skid behind Correa slam

WYE MILLS – J.D. Correa hit a third-inning grand slam to break a 2-2 tie and Tyler Tobin improved his pitching record to 7-2 as Chesapeake College routed the College of Southern Maryland, 13-5, Tuesday afternoon to snap a five-game baseball losing streak.

"J.D. has had some big hits for us this season and that was definitely a big hit:  3-2 count, two outs," said Chesapeake head coach Frank Szymanski of Correa's slam.  "There were some other guys with timely hits, too, but that was a big one."

Danny Allen collected three of Chesapeake's 15 hits while Casey Joseph (RBI), Kam Stewart and Trent Ehret each had two hits and scored twice.  Lane Farmer also had two hits and scored a run.

Tobin allowed four runs – but just two earned – on six hits in seven innings with a walk and two strikeouts.  Tyler McGovern gave up a hit and a walk while whiffing two over the final two innings to lock down the win.

About the only negative for the Skipjacks were five errors by the defense.

"Tyler Tobin was outstanding for us on the mound and we had really timely hitting for the first time in about a week and a half," said Szymanski.  "Our defense had some shaky moments –  we need to improve on that going down the stretch so we're getting good pitching, timely hitting, and strong defense at the same time."

The Skipjacks (22-17 overall, 11-7 league) scored multiple runs in five of the eight innings in which they batted.  Eight of Chesapeake's nine starters had hits and eight scored runs.

CSM dropped to 5-21 overall and 5-18 in the conference.

While Chesapeake's recent skid ended the Skipjacks' state-title hopes, they will have an opportunity to significantly impact who does win the title.  Chesapeake hosts first-place Cecil College (31-14, 18-3) Saturday in a noon doubleheader, with CCBC-Catonsville (26-15, 16-4) and Frederick (33-11, 15-4) both one game behind in the loss column.

"This league this year is very competitive with a lot of talented teams," said Szymanski.  "We've been in games with Catonsville and Frederick where a couple of hits and it could have been a different story.  We are happy to have the opportunity to play a role in the state race down the stretch."