’Jacks softball now 10-0 after latest sweep

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Chesapeake College improved to 10-0 the hard way, rallying from three runs down in the fifth inning Tuesday to beat a women's softball team that has finished in the top four at the last four NJCAA Division III national tournaments.

"That's what shows you who we are," said head coach Durrie Hayes after his Skipjacks rallied past Tompkins-Cortland Community College, 6-4, after an 8-0 win in Tuesday's opener.  "We're playing a really good team and facing a strong pitcher (Sarah Ford), but then all of a sudden it was 'boom, boom, boom,' " said Hayes.  "We've been hitting up and down the lineup."

The fifth-inning rally started with two outs, TCCC holding a 4-1 lead, and Stephanie Weyermiller on first after hitting into a fielder's choice.  Samantha Greenwell singled to move Weyermiller to third and Taryn Zietlow lined a double off the center fielder's glove to score Weyermiller and Greenwell.

Abby Tyner followed with a game-tying double that plated Zietlow, and Tyner's twin sister, Kellieann, then doubled to the same spot to score Abby with the go-ahead run.

The Skipjacks manufactured a seventh-inning insurance run.  Weyermiller singled, took second on a Greenwell sacrifice and went to third on a wild pitch.  Zietlow then grounded out to second, allowing Weyermiller to score.

Kelliann Tyner, who struggled early, retired 10 of the last 11 hitters while pitching a complete-game five-hitter.  Tyner (4-0) struck out two and walked five against the Panthers, who won the 2009 Division III national championship.

"She worked through it," Hayes said of Tyner's gutsy pitching performance.

Greenwell (two runs) and Zietlow (double, three RBI) each had two hits.

Chesapeake 8, Tompkins Cortland 0

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Cheyenne Riley (3-0) threw a two-hitter for her first complete-game shutout of the season and the Skipjacks used a six-run fifth inning to end the game on the slaughter rule.

Riley struck out three and walked two.

Abby Tyner (double, RBI) and Hannah Stringer each went 2-for-3.  Riley (three RBI) and Stephanie Weyermiller (RBI) each had a double.