O'Connell throws no-hitter in sweep of St. Johns

O'Connell throws no-hitter in sweep of St. Johns

OCALA--College of Central Florida softball team swept St. Johns River State College 9-5, 6-0 Thursday afternoon to remain perfect in Mid-Florida Conference play.

CF (33-6, 6-0 MFC) got out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning of game one off a double by Tiffani Railey and a grand slam by Jenna Rodelo, her second career grand slam. 

The Lady Patriots tacked on another two runs in the second inning and carried a 7-0 lead heading into the sixth, but the Vikings weren't ready to go away quietly.

A trio of singles and a walk by Morgan Cushman plated one run for SJRSC and set up a bases-loaded situation for shortstop Maegan Stone. Stone delivered a grand slam of her own to bring the Vikings to within two (7-5).   

CF responded with two more runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth to solidify the 9-5 win. 

Rodelo (2-for-3. 4 RBI) and Railey (2-for-3, 3 RBI) led CF at the plate, driving in seven of the Lady Patriots' nine runs.

In the circle, Cushman allowed five runs on six hits and struck out one in five innings of work.

In game two, Shayne O'Connell threw her second career no-hitter to blank the Viking offense in her first game back since March 7.

CF combined for 11 hits on the day, plating runs in the second, third and sixth innings to improve to 6-0 in MFC, where CF is currently tied for first with Daytona State College.

Caeley Nix led the offensive charge in game two, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, while Kelsee Cullop, Karli Woolington, Karly Kreug and Railey each drove in one run.

O'Connell struck out seven in her fourth complete game of the season.

CF will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Santa Fe College for a conference doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m.