BOSTON – Suffolk softball began the GNAC portion of its schedule Saturday night under the lights, splitting a Coaches vs. Cancer doubleheader at Clemente Field versus Emmanuel. The Rams fell in the opener, 2-0, but took the edge in the closer, 6-3.
Jill Kilcoyne gave up just two hits to the Rams (10-4, 1-1 GNAC) and Emmanuel provided a two-run top portion of the fourth to support her in picking up the 2-0 win. Ali Yamakaitis pitched a strong six innings for Suffolk, fanning two, allowing two runs, but suffered the loss.
Following a lead-off double by Meredith Ball to start the game, offense was not existent for both teams until the fourth inning. Emmaneul (10-9, 2-2 GNAC) scored its only runs in the top half of the inning. Ashley Skey reached first on an error and Briana Ong pinch ran. Susie Kieselback's double to right center advanced Ong to third and a single RBI by Abby Alesiades made it a 1-0 score in favor of the Saints. Kerrianne Vulpis provided the second RBI on a right field single that scored Alexiades.
The Saints opened the scoring in game two, with a two-run first, but a powerful six-run fourth inning by the Rams was too much for Emmanuel to come back from and Suffolk went on to secure the 6-3 triumph, its first GNAC win of the year.
Catherine Davis led off the game with a single to left field and stole second to get in scoring position. Casey Sheehen's double to center brought in Davis and Megan Kieselback's double to right field plated Sheehan for the 2-0 early edge for the Saints.
A back-and-forth scoreless affair came over the next six half innings until a run-filled Rams' bottom of the fourth came. Jaclyn Flint singled through the left side to get things going. Delaney Sylvester's sacrifice moved Flint ahead and Morgan Parmeter notched an RBI with a double to center field. Devlin Frost followed with a double and Elissa Mogauro knocked a two RBI double to right field as Parmeter and Frost came in to score. Now leading 3-2, Suffolk pilled on three more runs with Lindsay Pagano bombing a triple to right field, plating Mogauro in the process. With two outs, Karina Miranda hit a RBI double and stole home during Flint's second at-bat of the inning to make it 6-3.
Emmanuel attempt a comeback the rest of the way, but was held off by the Rams' defense and Taylor Holmes inside the circle. The sophomore went the full seven innings, striking out seven. Frost and Pagano provided two hits to lead the Rams past the Saints. Mogauro tallied two RBI to lead the way with Parmeter, Pagano and Miranda each chipping in one apiece.
The series served as Suffolk and Emmaneul's Coaches vs. Cancer game, a fund-raising event that benefits the life-sawing work of the American Cancer Society.
Suffolk returns to action Sunday afternoon as it visits Lasell for a twinbill with first pitch slated for 12 p.m.