HUDSON, N.H. – Suffolk softball scored twice in the seventh stanza to comeback and defeat Rivier, 7-6, in the opener of a GNAC doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Presentation of Mary.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 7 | Rivier 6
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-9, 1-0 GNAC) | Rivier (4-9, 0-1 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk built a three-run lead with a pair in the first frame and one in the second stanza. The scoring started behind Jaclyn Flint's single that scored Grace Boehler, who led off the game with a single of her own. Two outs later, McKenzie McGrath drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the second run of the day and make it a 2-0 Suffolk score. In the second, a productive ground out by McGrath plated Boehler, who singled, to stretch the edge to three.
A scoreless third was followed by a hectic fourth where the Raiders flipped the script in their favor with six runs behind five hits.
With their backs against the wall, the Rams had to make up ground and did so with single after single. With runners on first and second, Boehler barreled a double to bring in the tying-run in Samantha Jacques. Hailey Cockroft took advantage of a wild pitch to plate the go-ahead run and make it a 7-6 Suffolk score.
The Rams retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to lock up their conference-opening win.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Constance Phelan went the distance on the hill. Her complete-game effort saw the sophomore give up six runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts to her credit.
- Kellie Kennedy pitched a complete-game as well, letting up seven runs on 12 hits, three walks with five punchouts of her own.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Boehler had a day at bat with a 3-for-5 effort including one double with one RBI and two runs scored.
- Flint also produced three hits, going 3-for-4 at the plate, for two RBI and one run scored.
- Jacques registered two RBI, one hit and one run.
- Cockroft and Brianna Loughlin each recorded one hit and one run.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk rattled off its 11th straight win over Rivier to improve to 32-22 all-time versus the Raiders.
- The Rams improved to 11-2 under Jaclyn Davis.
- Boehler matched a personal-best three hits, producing that number for the second-straight game.
- Flint notched a season-high three hits.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk wraps up the series Rivier this afternoon.
