EAST BOSTON – The Suffolk softball team put together an offensive onslaught of Saint Joseph's (Maine) as the Rams cruised past the Monks, 17-2, in five innings to open the GNAC doubleheader Tuesday night at East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 17, Saint Joseph's (Maine) 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (24-7, 17-2 GNAC) | Saint Joseph's (Maine) (14-15, 10-7 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Monks were able to get on the board first as they scored a pair of runs on a Rams' error in the top of the first to grab a two-run edge.
It was all Suffolk from there though as they Rams scored multiple runs in the second, third and fourth frames to go ahead 17-2.
Suffolk's scoring started in the second stanza. With two outs and runners in the corner, Payton Sylvester doubled to right field to bring in McKenzie McGrath and advance Grace Boehler, who drew a base on balls, to third. Sydney Littlefield laid down a bunt up the first base line, which allowed Boehler to cross home before Payton Sylvester scored on a bobble by the Monks' first baseman to put the Rams in front. A second straight error by SJC let Littlefield score to make it a two-run game, 4-2, after two complete innings.
An inning later, the Rams added to the margin as Delaney Sylvester sent a ball over the fence for the first of two times on the afternoon. The senior catcher barreled a bomb to right field and brought Jaclyn Flint, who singled, in with her, before a sac fly from her sister, Payton, scored Ashley Zulla, who reached on a walk, to stretch Suffolk's lead to 7-2.
The Rams really did damage in the fourth, which featured Delaney Sylvester's second two-RBI dinger of the day and multiple runs on Monks miscues, that made it a 17-2 score.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Ali Yamakaitis (7-3) picked up the victory in the circle thanks to a two-run, seven-hit, three-walk, five-strikeout afternoon.
- Kristal Smith started for St. Joe's and gave up 11 runs on 10 hits and five walks and sat down one hitter over the first 3.0 innings.
- In 1.0 inning of relief, Caitlyn King let up six runs off four hits.
STATISTCALLY SPEAKING
- Delaney Sylvester's dingers paved the way at the plate. The Worcester, Massachusetts, product produced five RBI on three hits, two of which went over the fence, and scored twice.
- Payton Sylvester contributed a pair of hits, one double, brought in three runs and scored two.
- Frost and Flint each went 2-for-4 at the dish. Frost scored two runs and recorded on RBI, while Flint scored three times and plated a pair of runs.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk defeated Saint Joseph's (Maine) for the second straight meeting.
- The Rams won 17 GNAC contests for the first time since 2016 and seventh time overall.
- Suffolk took down the Monks by run-rule for the first time since a 13-2 five-inning win April 17, 2008 and second-time overall. The five-inning victory marked the second against SJC.
- Suffolk's 17 runs scored are the most all-time versus St. Joe's.
- The Rams' 15-run margin of victory is the largest in the all-time series against the Monks.
- Delaney Sylvester had a pair of dingers for the second time this season and fourth-time overall in her career.
- Delaney Sylvester's five RBI are a second-high for the senior.
- Payton Sylvester extended her hit streak to 20 straight games.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk and Saint Joe's cap off the two-game series under the lights tonight in Eastie.
