WORCESTER, Mass. – The Suffolk softball team won both ends of a GNAC doubleheader for the sixth time this season as the Rams defeated the AMCATS of Anna Maria at Clark's O'Brien Field by scores of 7-2 and 6-2, respectively.
The Rams secured the third most amounts of wins in Suffolk softball's 32-year history as it improved to 27-7 overall and 16-4 in league play. Anna Maria, meanwhile, fell to 4-29 overall and 2-18 in league action.
GAME ONE: SUFFOLK 7, ANNA MARIA 2
Ali Yamakaitis held Anna Maria to just one hit through five innings en route to her 10th win in the circle this season. Meanwhile, Suffolk took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and added four more runs in the third for an early 6-0 edge. Anna Maria would hold the Rams scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, but allowed the Rams a run in the top of the sixth. The AMCATS would plate two runs in the final inning, but would not get any closer as the Rams hung on for the 7-2 triumph.
Delaney Sylvester drew a walk to lead off the second and moved to second when Morgan Parmeter wore Ally Hamelin's pitch. The sophomore and junior advanced to third and second, respectively, on a passed ball to set up Lindsay Pagano. Sylvester crossed on the junior first baseman's single to left and Parmeter came in on Madison Eucalitto's sac fly to center.
In the third Sylvester was involved in the scoring once again. The catcher's single through the right side was good for two RBI as it brought in Jaclyn Flint, who singled, and Jill Pulek, who reached on a fielder's choice. Two batter's later Eucalitto notched her second RBI of the day with a single up the middle that scored Sylvester. With the bases loaded, McKenzie McGrath was the second Ram to get hit by one of Hamelin's pitches, but brought Parmeter in in the process to make it a 6-0 Suffolk game.
The Rams final run of the opener came in the top of the sixth. With two outs Parmeter got on with a walk and moved over on a fielder's choice and took third on the same play thanks to a AMCATS' mistake. The left fielder scored on a passed ball to push the score to 7-0.
Anna Maria scored both their runs in the bottom of the seventh as Sabrian Carreira led off with a single. Kayal Magierowski hit her ball to Pagano, but her attempt to throw out the lead runner at second sailed into the outfield, allowing Carreira to advance to third.
With runners on first and second, Suffolk tried to pick-off Carreira at third, but the throw from Sylvester also went into left field, allowing Carreira to score and Magierowskie to move up to third. After back-to-back strikeouts, Haggerty drilled a two-out double to right field to drive in the second run.
The Rams tallied 10 hits as a team, led by Meredith Ball, Pagano and Eucalitto, who all finished with two apiece.
AMCAT pitcher Ally Hamelin took the loss for Anna Maria, throwing a complete-game with four walks and two strikeouts. Yamakaitis finished with seven strikeouts in the win.
GAME TWO: SUFFOLK 6, ANNA MARIA 2
AMCAT senior pitcher Angela Vousboukis held the Rams to just one run through the first five innings in the nightcap in the complete-game effort.
The Rams would plate three in the top of the sixth on an RBI sac fly by Evelyn Marquis and a triple by Ball that scored two.
Anna Marai fired back in the bottom of the inning with two runs on a single to right field by Magierowski that forced Suffolk to make a change in the circle and reliever Kim Crucioli settled in for the last out as Anna Maria stranded two base-runners.
Marquis would drive in two more fur Suffolk on a single up the middle in the top of the seventh and Crucioli would retire the side in the bottom of the inning to complete the Rams' sixth conference sweep of the season.
Suffolk compiled 15 hits as a team, led by Sylvester, Eucalitto and Dylan Parsons, who all batted 3-for-4. Parmeter added two hits.
Anna Maria recorded eight hits led by Harrerty's two-hit effort.
Taylor Holmes pitched 5.2 innings in the victory, scattering seven hits and both AMCAT runs. Crucioli gave up just one hit in relief, while striking out three.
Suffolk is in action on Saturday when it hosts Rivier on Senior Day. Prior to the 12 p.m. first pitch, the Rams will honor the playing careers of its two graduating players, Ball and Nicole Isakson.