Chesapeake-Anne Arundel solidified its spot as the top-ranked team in the area as the Cougars did not allow a run in two games Saturday en route to a first-place finish at the Cavalier Classic at Randazzo Park in Severn.
Chesapeake?s first win was its biggest as junior shortstop Angela Yannone hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the first inning to drive in shortstop Brooke Owen in the Cougars? 1-0 win over No. 2 Archbishop Spalding, the tournament?s host. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Gibson struck out 14 for Chesapeake (7-0) in the win.
In the Cougars? second game, freshman pitcher Nicole Mantheiy had a two-run double, a two-run home run and pitched a complete-game two-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Northern of Calvert County. Chesapeake clinched the championship by winning both games and allowing the fewest runs in the 12-team field.
“This was a great experience,” said Mantheiy, one of five substitutes to play against Northern. “We came in with a good attitude, because if we had a bad attitude, we would have played bad.”
Among the other teams in the field, No 8 Broadneck and No. 9 Severna Park each went 2-0. Broadneck (6-0) did most of its damage at the plate as the Bruins defeated St. Mary?s, 25-3, and Good Counsel, 11-1. Senior outfielder Kayla Dice went 5-for-5 with a triple, two home runs and 11 RBI against St. Mary?s.
Severna Park started its day with a 4-2 win over Glenelg before the Falcons topped River Hill, 8-3. Junior pitcher Sarah Castille won both games for Severna Park that included a complete-game, two-hit, seven strikeout performance against Glenelg.
Spalding came back strong in its second game as senior pitcher Stephanie Weigman struck out 15 and allowed two hits in a complete-game 6-0 victory over No. 6 Northeast. Northeast won its first game in 10 innings over River Hill. 7-5.
“This tournament is all about competition and we wanted to play the best today,” Spalding coach Paul O?Brien said. “Playing teams like Chesapeake and Northeast will only help get us ready for the IAAM season and the IAAM tournament.”
