Three GNAC Series in Store for Softball This Weekend

BOSTON – The Suffolk softball team will play three GNAC doubleheaders in three days this weekend as the Rams visit Mount Ida and Johnson & Wales, before welcoming Albertus Magnus to Eastie. Suffolk gets underway Friday at the Mustangs home, will travel to the Wildcats Saturday and entertain the Falcons Sunday.  

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LAST TIME OUT
Strong pitching and timely offense was the name of the game, as the Suffolk softball team took a pair of games from Lasell, 8-0 (in six innings) and 13-6, Saturday in a GNAC doubleheader at Taylor Field.  

MORE READING: Softball Sweeps Lasell, 8-0, 13-6

RUN DOWN ON THE RAMS
Devlin Frost (.393) leads all players with 22 hits and 16 runs to go along with 13 RBI, which lands second on the team. Jill Pulek has been the most consistent hitter with the freshman producing team-best numbers in batting average (.488), on-base percentage (.588), slugging percentage (.829) and RBI (14). Frost and Pulek each have recorded four doubles and two home runs each.  

Ali Yamakaitis is leading a strong group of pitchers for Suffolk, leading the team with a 1.62 earned-run average, with a 4-2 record, one win being an 8-0 shutout, and a save to her credit. The sophomore hurler has thrown a team-leading 47.2 innings, allowing 34 hits, 18 runs and striking out a team-best 27. Taylor Holmes, meanwhile, boasts a 2.28 ERA and a 6-1 ledger. She has given up 35 hits, 19 runs and 19 walks, but has fanned 23.

PULEK POWER
Jill Pulek ranks among the GNAC best in three major batting categories. The freshman leads the conference in on-base percentage (.588), is third in slugging percentage (.829) and fourth in batting average (.488), with these numbers leading Suffolk.  

FROST'S FIRST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
Devlin Frost earned her first GNAC Corvias Player of the Week recognition of her career Monday as the sophomore produced seven hits and a .538 batting average in four games last weekend, helping the Rams turn in a 3-1 record.

MORE READING: Frost Picks Up GNAC Corvias Player of the Week Nod

ROOKIE RECOGNITION
Every week Suffolk has been in action this season a rookie has been recognized with back-to-back GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week accolades. Jill Pulek earned the distinction March 14, while Evelyn Marquis garnered the honor March 21. 

MORE READING:  Pulek Tabbed GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week | Marquis Named GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week

MUST KNOW ABOUT THE MUSTANGS
After dropping two games to St. Joseph (Conn.), Mt. Ida bounced back, splitting a doubleheader of Framingham State as the Mustangs took the closer, 7-6. Mt. Ida carries a 6-12 overall record and 2-4 conference mark into Friday's meeting.

Michele Macdonald has been counted on heavily at the plate for the Mustangs. The junior outfield leads the squad with a .515 in 68 at bats, producing 35 hits and five RBI and scoring 16 runs herself. Inside the circle, Hayla Microulis and Nicole Handzel have split time. Handzel has seen the most action, 84.0 innings, and holds the better ERA 2.25. The junior pitcher has also struck out 95. Microulis, meanwhile, has thrown 38.1 innings and boasts a 6.21 ERA.  

WILDCAT WAYS
In GNAC play, Johnson and Wales has sandwiched sweeps of Rivier and Albertus Magnus around back-to-back defeats to Emmanuel, each by one-run, to sit 4-2 in conference action. At home, the Wildcats hold a 4-0 ledger and are 16-5 overall.

Jennifer Corona is the top arm for the Wildcats as she holds a 9-3 record in 61.1 innigns pitched, striking out 49 for a team-best 1.03 ERA, which is good for second in the conference.

Emily Gorecki has the top batting average among qualified players, hitting at a .508 clip with 32 RBI. Kristen Solari's 37 hits and 29 runs scored lead the Wildcats, while Brenna Duperry has swiped a team-high 11 bases.

FACTS ON THE FALCONS
After putting together six wins, Albertus Magnus has fallen in its last three, including a doubleheader sweep to Johnson and Wales to hold a 14-6 season mark and 5-3 GNAC ledger heading into this weekend. Prior to facing Suffolk Sunday, the Falcons will face off against the Cadets of Norwich.

Brianna Whitfield paces the Falcons offense with a .424 average, 10 RBI and five doubles. Albertus Mangus has used four pitchers with Samantha Maselli leading the staff with a 2.30 ERA and a 2-0 record. Kristen Cunning, meanwhile, has seen the most action, 36.0 innings, for a 3.11 ERA and four wins (4-2) to her credit.  

COMING UP
Suffolk remains on the road when it takes its talents to Mt. Ida Friday afternoon for a doubleheader. The Rams and Mustangs are scheduled for a 3 p.m. opener.