PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Suffolk baseball team rallied in game two versus Johnson & Wales, defeating the Wildcats, 6-3, at Scotts Miracle-Gro Complex Saturday afternoon to secure a GNAC series split.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3, Johnson & Wales 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (21-11, 12-2 GNAC) | Johnson & Wales (19-17, 8-6 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk fell in a 1-0 hole after JWU put a run on the board in the first frame. The deficit was shortlived though as the Rams ran in a pair of runs in the second to go up one, 2-1. Greg Speliotis and Luke Ronchi both drew walks to open the inning the pair came home thanks to singles from Kevin Belskie and Curtis Tirone, respectively.
The Wildcats leveled the playing field in the bottom of the second and things held at 2-2 until the top of the fifth when Suffolk went back in front thanks to a JWU error. Brady Chant led off the inning with a triple to right, his 11th of the season, and came in with two down on a Wildcat's error.
Suffolk's defense took care of business down the stretch. Chuck Gibson retired the side in the fifth, the Rams kept JWU off the scoreboard in the sixth thanks to a 163-double play and sealed up the win with a three-up, three-down seventh.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Belskie was the only Ram to record a multi-hit game with the senior first baseman going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
- Tirone, who went 1-for-3, contributed one RBI.
- Chant (1-4), Luke Ronchi, and Spelitois scored the trio of runs for Suffolk.
- Sean Cameron rounded out the Rams with hits, notching one on the day.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Gibson kept his perfect record in tact thanks to a two-run, five-hit, four-walk, one-strikeout, complete-game outing.
- JWU's Keith Grant slipped to 3-4 on the season as the starter gave up three runs (two earned) off five hits, three walks and sat down three hitters.
- Brandon Rainville came on in relief for the Wildcats.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk moved to 8-3 all-time versus JWU in the Anthony Del Prete era.
- The Rams put together the best GNAC record under Del Prete at 12-2 against league foes.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk heads to Endicott tomorrow, Sunday, April 30 for a non-conference twin bill. Game one's first pitch is set for 12 p.m.