Posted: Apr 04, 2014
The Suffolk University Softball was on the road in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) double header action on Friday afternoon. The Rams dropped two games to host Simmons College in a close 7-6 in game one and a 6-1 loss in game two.
Game One: Simmons 7, Suffolk 6
The Rams took a one run lead in the top of the second as Nicole Rosa (Wallingford, Conn.) singled to centerfield to score Nikki Cignarella (Norwood, Mass). The Sharks responded in the bottom of the third as E. Cunningham doubled to right field to score Caracciolo and later scored as Christina Mulcahy (Cambridge, Mass.) reached first on a Rams error.
Suffolk regained the lead in the top of the fourth as Rosa and Meredith Ball (Nahant, Mass.) advanced to second and third on a passed ball. With runners in scoring position, Sarah Chasse (Salem, Mass.) singled up the middle to bring Rosa across home plate. Erin McAndrews (Marblehead, Mass.) then grounded out to the Sharks shortstop but and error by the Simmons infield gave up two runs for a 5-2 lead.
Hannah Cunningham tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with her first home run of the year. The Rams took back the lead in the top of the sixth off a run by Emily Martel (East Hartland, Conn.) but H. Cunningham and Caracciolo scored in the bottom of the inning for the Sharks off a single by Heather White (Westfield, Mass.) to take the lead, 7-6. In the top of the seventh, the Simmons defense was flawless and pitcher Danielle LeBlanc (Templeton, Mass.) struck out one to ensure the victory.
Game Two: Simmons 6, Suffolk 1
The Rams struck first again, as Kristen Young (Windsor, Conn.) singled and then advanced to second on a Sharks error. McAndrews followed suit with a single to score Young before the Sharks defense made the next two outs. In the bottom of the first, Caracciolo laid down a stellar bunt and beat out the throw. E. Cunningham then tripled to centerfield as Caracciolo scored to tie the game.
Simmons doubled their lead in the bottom of the second as Mulcahy hit a lead off double to left field. Victoria Luongo (Medford, Mass.) then doubled to center field to score Mulcahy but the Rams made the next two outs to end the inning.
After a scoreless third, the Sharks added three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kat Guillotte singled up the middle and then advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt by Luongo. Janyne Sierra (Everett, Mass.) singled up the middle for her second hit of the year to score Guillotte before Caracciolo doubled to left field to bring Sierra home. White then singled down the right field line to score Caracciolo from second for the Sharks fifth run.
In the top of the sixth, McAndrews doubled up the middle to give the Rams a runner in scoring position but Sharks pitcher Amanda Cordeiro (Fall River, Mass.) and the Sharks defense were able to end the inning unscathed. Simmons added their final run in the bottom of the sixth as E. Cunningham singled through the left side to score Emma D'Arpino (Johnston, R.I.) from third.
In their final at bat, the Rams put two runners on as Rosa singled up the middle and Martel hit a double to the left field fence but Chasse popped up to the Sharks shortstop to end the game, 6-1. Cordeiro pitched all seven innings and picked up her third win of the year.
These losses drop the Rams to 5-15 overall and 0-6 in conference play. The Sharks improve to 12-4 overall and 5-1 in GNAC action.
The Rams are back in action on Saturday hosting a GNAC double header against Rivier at 12:00pm and 2:00pm. The Sharks return to action on Saturday at Anna Maria College in a double header at 12:00pm and 2:00pm.
Courtesy of Simmons College Sports Information Director.