'Jacks prep for Catonsville, set school win mark

McHENRY – The Chesapeake College women's softball team is no longer perfect – just historic.

The Skipjacks (29-1 overall, 18-0 Maryland JuCo) swept host Garrett College, 17-0 and 8-1, Sunday afternoon to eclipse the team record for victories in a season set by last year's 28-win squad.  Sunday's doubleheader was Chesapeake's first outing since Potomac State defeated the Skipjacks, 6-5, in a game halted in the seventh inning by darkness with the tying run on third base and one out.

While pleased to have the record, Chesapeake head coach Durrie Hayes said "there's been zero conversation about that."

"We'd like to get to Mississippi (site of the NJCAA Division II World Series), so we're just trying to get better every day," said Hayes, whose team needs to win the Region XX tournament in order to qualify for the World Series.

And, there's also a little matter of settling the state championship.

Chesapeake travels to CCBC-Catonsville Monday for a doubleheader showdown against the Cardinals (26-8, 14-0 prior to Sunday's non-league doubleheader against Burlington County College).  The Skipjacks, with no more league games remaining after Monday, can claim the state title with a sweep, or clinch at least a share of the title with a split.

The Skipjacks, who shared the state title with Catonsville and Cecil in 2010, haven't won an undisputed state crown since 1981.  After playing Chesapeake, Catonsville has league doubleheaders remaining against CCBC-Dundalk and third-place College of Southern Maryland (15-3, 11-3).

While not uninterested in a state crown, Hayes reiterated that the regional tournament is more important to the team's long-term goals.

"Certainly we would like to win the conference," said Hayes.  "The overall goal is to win the region.  If we only get to win one, that's the one we want to win."

Monday's state showdown is a potential region final preview, with Chesapeake and Catonsville likely to be seeded first and second – in one order or another – in the regional tournament.

All Hayes knows is he expects his team to perform at a high level.

"They've played well all season long," said Hayes Sunday night.  "I don't see any reason why they won't play well tomorrow."

Chesapeake certainly wasn't looking ahead to Catonsville Sunday, pounding Garrett twice.  Kellieann Tyner (13-0) threw a five-inning three-hitter in the opener, striking out nine with just one walk, while the squad's two sophomores – Cheyenne Riley and Michelle Lawrenson – each had three hits to lead a 17-hit attack.

Riley (two doubles, two steals) drove in five runs and Lawrenson had a double, her first collegiate homer, and two RBI.  Kaley Schreiber (two doubles) went 3-for-4 with two RBI, Samantha Greenwell had two doubles and drove in three runs, and Hannah Stringer added a hit, three RBI and two steals.

Riley (9-1) tossed a seven-inning three-hitter in the nightcap, striking out a career-high eight with two walks while allowing just an unearned run.  Lawrenson (two doubles) went 3-for-4 for the second straight game while Greenwell (two RBI), Taryn Zietlow and Sarah Straub each had two hits.

Chesapeake plays non-league doubleheaders Wednesday at Burlington County College (3 p.m.) and Saturday at the United States Naval Academy (noon).  The NJCAA Region XX championship tournament takes place starting with a play-in round April 30 and then continues May 3-5 at Chesapeake.

The Skipjacks are likely to avoid the play-in round as the top two seeds earn byes.