WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Suffolk softball produced 18 hits, eight in the fifth frame alone, to comeback and take down Saint Joseph (Conn.) in the nightcap of a GNAC double feature Sunday afternoon at the USJ Softball Field.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 8 | St. Joseph (Conn.) 5
RECORDS: Suffolk (13-11, 3-1 GNAC) | St. Joseph (Conn.) (17-13, 6-2 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk started the scoring in the first on a two-out, one-run single from Kelly Keane that scoredGrace Boehler, who walked.
The Blue Jays took over with back-to-back multi-run innings to build a 5-1 distance.
A scoreless fourth was followed by an action backed fifth for the blue-and-gold. The Rams rattled off eight hits to score six runs and go ahead, 7-5. Caitlin Murphy started the hitting rally off with a lead-off single before she swiped second. Boehler's base hit scored Murphy and Ashley Zulla followed with a base hit of her own before the Blue Jays made a change in the circle. The hitting continued for the Rams despite the fresh arm as Jaclyn Flint and Keane produced singles of their own, scoring one and two runs, respectively. Brooke Cloak kept the singles coming with one to center and swiped second to set up a one-RBI base hit for McKenzie McGrath.
Suffolk's hot streak carried into the sixth stanza as Flint knocked a double to center and Keane traded places with her on a double of her own to turn it into an 8-5 Rams' ball game.
Kennedy Reyes retired six of the final eight hitters to secure the win and series split.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Constance Phelan picked up the win after letting up two runs, one earned on eight hits and one walk with one strikeout over 3.1 innings of relief work.
- Kennedy Reyes earned the save after throwing 2.0 innings of scoreless relief with one walk allowed and one punchout on her stat line.
- Hannah DelCervo started in the circle for Suffolk. She let up three runs on three hits and two walks in in 1.2 innings.
- Natalie Amato dipped to 7-3 on the year after giving up three runs on five hits in just 1/3 of relief action.
- Julia Annecchiarcio served up 4.0 innings in which she gave up four runs on nine hits and one walk.
- Aleexandra Milaro worked 2.2 frames of relief. She allowed one run on four hits and one walk with two Ks.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Keane powered the Rams' offense with a 3-for-4 effort, which including one double, for four rBI.
- Flint matched Keane's output at the plate, going 3-for-4 as well, with one double. The shortstop brought in one run and scored two.
- McGrath also went 3-for-4 at the dish and brought in one run.
- Boehler and Zulla also had multiple hits in the outing with two apiece. Boehler recorded one rBI and two runs, while Zulla scored one run.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk moved to 24-15 all-time versus USJ.
- The Rams are now 10-7 against the Blue Jays in the Jaclyn Davis era.
- Suffolk produced the most hits of the season (18) and most since recording 22 in a 22-6, five-inning victory over Regis April 11, 2018.
- Reyes recorded her first-ever save.
- Keane matched a personal-best three hits and brought in a career-high four runs.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk welcomes Norwich to East Boston Memorial Park for a conference doubleheader. First pitch in the rescheduled outings is set for 3 p.m.
