Baseball Tests Streak with Four Games Over Three Days

BOSTON – Riding a six-game win streak, the Suffolk baseball team takes its winning ways into a hectic stretch as it takes the field four times over the next three days. The Rams step out of conference competition as they visit Curry (April 11) and Eastern Connecticut State (April 12), before entertaining in a doubleheader Thursday, April 13.   

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LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk baseball team's bats were firing on all cylinders as the Rams rattled off the most runs in five seasons to trounce Rivier, 24-6, in the closer of a GNAC twin bill at East Boston Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.     

MORE READING: Baseball Locks Up Series Sweep with Offensive Onslaught of Rivier

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has tallied a mark in the win column in its last six outings to improve to 10-6 on the season and 4-0 in league play. 

As a team, the Rams fall in the middle of the conference in a number of offensive categories. The blue-and-gold sit third amongst its conference counterparts in on-base percentage (.388), slugging percentage (.404), extra-bases hits (46) and stolen bases (26) and fourth in batting average (.283). 

Individually the bats of Brady Chant and Luke Ronchi prove to be the most consistent for the Rams. Chant produces team leading numbers in hits (25), slugging percentage (.577), and extra-base hits (11) with his five doubles and four triples pacing the pack as well. The junior outfielder ranks among the league's best in those categories and leads the way with hits for three bases to go along with 14 RBI and 13 runs scored. Ronchi, meanwhile, sits atop the team stats in average (.381), RBI (15) and runs (15), and is second on the squad in hits (24). The senior right fielders is scattered around the conference statistics top ten coming in at the top of the list in RBI. Kevin Belskie (.345, 20 H, 12 RBI, 11 run), Seth Coiley (.352, 15 H, 6 RBI, 9R), Kevin Higgins (.245, 12 H, 11 RBI, 6R) and Matt Brenner (.236, 13 H, 8 RBI, 14 R) all contribute consistently to Suffolk's offense as well. 

On the hill, Suffolk's staff holds the second lowest ERA in the GNAC at 4.05, limiting its opponents to the lowest average in the league at .267. Mark Fusco, who just started his first collegiate game, leads the league with a 1.13 era. The junior right handed pitcher is 2-2 on the season in five appears, 16.0 innings pitched with five runs (two earned) allowed on 12 hits with seven Ks. Chuck Gibson (2.10 ERA), Worth Walrod (2.37 ERA) and Ryan Pordes (2.67 ERA) rank fourth through sixth in the conference in ERA. Gibson is 3-0 on the year with 25.2 innings of work and a team-best 18 strikeouts, while Pordes is also unbeaten on the mound at 2-0 seeing the most action, 27.0 frames, and has sat down 15 hitters.   

COLONELS CATCH UP
Curry welcomes Suffolk Tuesday after splitting a two-game series with Middlebury Sunday that put the Colonels at 6-11 on the season. 

The Colonels, who are hitting .264 as a team, with only one player hitting above .300 in senior pitcher Vincent Lopriore (.303). Alex McLean and Justin Cage, who are hitting .263 and .246, respectively, pace the pack in RBI with seven apiece. McLean leads the way in hits with 15 and runs, scoring 10, with Cage added 10 hits and three runs. 

Matt Fogarty holds the lowest ERA amongst Curry starting arms at 2.25. In four appearances, two nods, the sophomore has worked 12.0 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on 10 hits with nine strikeouts. David Griffin has dealt the most innings for the Colonels, 35.2 and holds a 2.52 ERA with 14 runs (10 earned) on 26 hits to go along with a team0high 22 Ks. 

EYES ON THE GAME

WARRIORS WATCH
Eastern Connecticut State has dropped its last three contests and opens this week's action against Suffolk on Wednesday. During the three-game skid, the Warriors have been outscoring, 17-4, including a 10-1 setback at Roger Williams in their latest outing. 

Three every day starters recorded over .300 averages at the plate in Alex Zachary (.353), Alex Parkos (.343) and Pat Sirois (.333). Zachary is the team leader in hits (24) and runs (16). Sirois matches Zachary's runs output with 16 of his own with the two also tying for second in RBI at 14. Parkos is top on the squad with 16 RBI to along with nine runs. 

As a staff, the Warriors hold a 5.07 ERA. Ron Buchetto's 2.66 ERA leads the way amongst starters, while Nick Rascati has been a consistent closer for Eastern Connecticut State with the arm making 12 appearances and holding down a 2.04 ERA.  

EYES ON THE GAME

FALCONS FACTS
Albertus Magnus swept Anna Maria and split versus Norwich over the weekend to move to 6-12 on the season and 3-1 in conference action. Prior to facing the Rams on Thursday, the Falcons host Mount St. Vincent Wednesday in a two-game series. 

The Falcons two spots down from the Rams in the offensive team categories, batting .265, slugging .361 and holding an on-base percentage of .354.  Andrew Scully's 3.71 average, 23 hits and 12 RBI lead Albertus Magnus' offense. Tyriq Harris leads the way in runs with 18 to go along with 19 hits and nine RBI, while hitting .328. 

Adam Olszyk is the Falcons' leading hurler, holding an ERA of 3.38 in five appearances and two starts. In 18.2 frames, the senior has let up 14 runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and holds 22 Ks.  Shawn McFeggan has seen the most action, 25.0 innings. The rookie boasts a 6.84 ERA with 21 hits (19 earned) on 34 hits and 19 strikeouts. 

EYES ON THE GAME
 

GNAC CORVIAS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brady Chant of the Sufoflk baseball team has been named GNAC Corvias Player of the Week after his game-winning, two RBI triple at Salem State, the league office announced April 3. 

MORE READING: Chant Collects GNAC Corvias Player of the Week 

GNAC CORVIAS PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Pordes of the then-No. 24 Suffolk baseball team was selected as the GNAC Corvias Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced March 20. 

MORE READING: Pordes Picks Up GNAC Corvias Pitcher of the Week 

COMING UP
Suffolk is back in action this weekend as the Rams host Anna Maria in a doubleheader at East Boston Memorial Park Saturday, April 15. Game one is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.