Softball Closes Homestand Against Emmanuel, USJ This Weekend

Softball Closes Homestand Against Emmanuel, USJ This Weekend

APRIL 14 | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM
EAST BOSTON MEMORIAL PARK
 EAST BOSTON, MASS.
GAME 1: LIVE STATS
GAME 2: LIVE STATS

Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 40-20
Last Meeting - April 9, 2017, L, 2-1
Last Suffolk April 9, 2017, W, 8-5
Streak - L1
Eyes on the Game


APRIL 15 | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM
EAST BOSTON MEMORIAL PARK
 EAST BOSTON, MASS.
GAME 1: LIVE STATS
GAME 2: LIVE STATS

Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 21-14
Last Meeting - April 30, 2017, W, 10-4
Last Suffolk Win - Same
Streak - W1
Eyes on the Game


BOSTON – The winners of the last 11 contests, the Suffolk softball team wraps up a 10-game homestand this weekend as the Rams entertain Emmanuel and Saint Joseph (Conn.) at East Boston Memorial Park. The blue-and-gold will first welcome the Saints to Eastie for their Coaches vs. Cancer game Saturday, April 14, before hosting the Blue Jays the following day, Sunday, April 15. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. 

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LAST TIME OUT
Delaney Sylvesterbecame just the second-ever Suffolk softball player to record 200 hits as the Rams ran past Rivier, 16-3, in the nightcap of a GNAC doubleheader Thursday night at East Boston Memorial Park. 

MORE READING:  Sylvester Knocks 200th Hit as Suffolk Rolls Past Rivier, 16-3, for Sweep

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk's 11-game win streak has given the Rams a 16-6 overall record and a 9-1 league ledger.  

As a team, Suffolk is hitting .371 with six every-day hitters batting over .400. Ashley Zulla leads the way with a .458 connection rate at the plate with 27 hits, 12 for extra bases, 18 RBI and 17 runs scored.Grace Boehler falls in a close second with a .457 batting average. The freshman owns 16 hits, 10 RBI and eight runs scored. Delaney Sylvester (.453, 29 H, 20 RBI, 19 R), Payton Sylvester (.439, 29 H, 23 RBI, 21 R), Jaclyn Flint (.43128 H, 17 RBI and 21 R), McKenzie McGrath (.400, 22 H, 10 RBI, 17 R) are also consistent contributors at the plate.  

In the circle, Suffolk's staff has picked it up lately and has put together an ERA of 2.86. Taylor Holmes leads the way as the undefeated senior RHP holds a 1.41 ERA in 34.2 innings of action with 27 strikeouts. Payton Sylvester is sub 2.00 with a 1.99 ERA and 23 strikeouts. Ali Yamakaitis complete the top three arms with an ERA of 3.38 and a team-best 32 punchouts in the most innings, 47.2.

SAINTS SAYINGS
Emmanuel is on a win streak of its own as it has swept its past two doubleheaders including a GNAC battle at Rivier to bring a 12-11 overall record and a 5-5 GNAC record into Saturday afternoon.  

Olivia Burgos is the Saints biggest threat for as the junior leads the way at the plate with 30 hits, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored with a slash line of .417/.442/.556, while also commanding the circle, boasting a 2.79 ERA with 34 Ks in seven starts and 47.2 innings.  

Audrey Esakoff (.346, 27 H, 10 RBI, 16 R) and Sarah Hoisl (.314, 22 H, 9 RBI, 15 R) are also threats at the dish, while Megan Kieselback looks to be Emmanuel's ace. The junior RHP holds an ERA OF 2.18 with70.2 innings of action under her belt in 12 starters. Overall, she has sat down 60 hitters. 

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk owns a 40-20 all-time record versus Emmanuel all-time. 

EYES ON THE GAME

BREAKING DOWN THE BLUE JAYS
Saint Joseph (Conn.) has won the six straight outings to improve to 14-8 overall and 6-2 in GNAC play. The Blue Jays will travel to Rivier Saturday, April 14 before facing Suffolk.  

Amaria Sharon is a key factor in the circle, field and at the plate for USJ. She bats a team-high .464 for 32 hits, 19 RBI and 16 runs, while leading the way on the rubber with a 4.64 ERA and 44 strikeouts. Alessandra Milardo contributes throughout the diamond as well, but mainly in the circle. The freshman boasts a 4.50 ERA with 48 Ks in 70.0 innings. 

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk split last season's two games with Saint Joseph (Conn.) to hold onto an all-time series lead, 21-14. 

EYES ON THE GAME

RE2(00)PECT
Delaney Sylvester hit a two-RBI bomb in her first at bat of the nightcap in a doubleheader versus Rivier to become the second-ever Ram to record 200 hits and first since Suffolk Hall of Famer Jess Ferreira did so in 2009. With 203 career hits, Sylvester currently sits second all-time on the Rams' all-time hits list.  

ON DECK
Suffolk, who just wrapped up hosting 10 games over 6 days, is set for another busy week with four doubleheaders over five days. After two much needed days off, the Rams head to Lasell Wednesday, April 18. Game one of the GNAC twinbill is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.