'Peake protest upheld; title tilt replay ordered
Chesapeake College's 12-8 women's softball loss to CCBC-Catonsville – seemingly securing a doubleheader sweep for the Cardinals Monday to virtually lock up the state softball title – has been overturned after a Skipjack protest on a first-inning umpire's ruling was upheld.
The game will now be replayed Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Catonsville with Chesapeake holding a 2-0 lead and ready to bat in the top of the second inning. The Skipjacks (29-4 overall, 18-1 league) can lock up at least a share of the state title by beating Catonsville (30-9, 17-0). If Chesapeake wins, Catonsville would have to sweep third-place College of Southern Maryland (17-3, 11-3) Saturday to claim a share of the state crown.
Chesapeake head coach Durrie Hayes said upheld protests are uncommon, particularly in a late-season situation impacting a league championship and regional tournament seeding.
"The first thing it says is clearly we were right in our interpretation," Hayes said of the decision to uphold his protest.
The play in question occurred with one out, Catonsville's Mercedes Hernandez on first base and Samantha Lang at the plate. Lang hit a comebacker to pitcher Stephanie Weyermiller, who threw to shortstop Taryn Zietlow covering second to retire Hernandez. Hernandez dove back into the first-base bag, with Lang also arriving at first.
Lang, who was actually safe on the play, stepped off the bag and began walking to the Catonsville dugout. First baseman Cheyenne Riley, at Hayes' urging, went over and tagged Lang. The umpires, however, return Lang to first base, leading Hayes to protest the game.
"The runner who was out stayed on the base," said Hayes. "The runner who was safe went back to the dugout. Cheyenne really didn't even have to tag her. The rule says when the runner abandons her base or leaves the field for any reason, she's out."
Judy Cole, director of officials for Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference softball, upheld the protest under NCAA Rule 12.4.6, which states "When, after reaching a base safely, a batter-runner or base runner(s) abandons her base and obviously heads toward her position or the dugout (for example, believing she was put out), or leaves the field of play for any reason . . . the batter runner or runner is out."
Hayes praised the umpires, who he said would have had to confirm his version of the play in order for Cole to make her ruling.
"It's hard to say, 'Yeah, I made a mistake' for anybody, but apparently they did because it got upheld," said Hayes. "Kudos to them. However it came about, the right decision was made."
Chesapeake now has the opportunity to bring back pitching ace Kellieann Tyner (13-1), who Hayes had used in a 3-0 loss to Catonsville in Monday's opener. Tyner did not allow an earned run in a complete-game effort, but was victimized by a leaky defense.
"She pitched very well against them," said Hayes. "She has to have some confidence (about facing Catonsville again). I don't think you totally shut down Catonsville, but you can try to contain them."
And Hayes doesn't think the stage is too big for Tyner.
"Kellieann has proven to be a money pitcher and pressure doesn't bother her," said Hayes.
The Skipjacks are facing some challenges. Their thin roster – Hayes is carrying only 11 players – got even thinner Wednesday when Abby Tyner suffered a knee injury during a doubleheader loss to Region XIX power Burlington County College. And the Skipjacks – who have lost four of six since a 27-0 start – will likely face Catonsville ace Sammi O'Connor, who leads the state with 20 wins and is second in earned-run average (1.60).
"Catonsville's pitcher is really good, and Catonsville's a really nice team, but we've got a really nice team," said Hayes. "This gives us the opportunity to share or win the state championship. I think the girls will come out fired up. I think they've worked real hard for this. To get a second shot at it – what more can you ask for?"