CCC RELEASE

BIDDEFORD, Maine – On the eve of a new era of Suffolk softball, the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) unveiled the 2021 CCC Coaches' Poll with the Rams picked second in POD B.  

Voting was conducted by the head coaches of their respective sports. While pod sports were ranked separately, all coaches were required to rank all teams from either pod.

the Rams first year in the CCC will look less than traditional with the league divided into pods. In 'Pod B' alongside Suffolk is Endicott, Gordon, the University of New England and Wentworth, with Curry, Nichols, Roger Williams, Salve Regina and Western New England making up 'Pod A'. 

Suffolk took second in Pod B with 32 points behind Endicott's 50 with the Gulls receiving 10 first-place picks. UNE is just two points away from the Rams in third with Gordon (20) and Wentworth (18) earning fourth and fifth, respectively. 

On the other side of the league Salve Regina is the favorite with five first-place nods for 45 points. Western New England follows closely behind in second as the Golden Bears also received five first-place votes for 43 points. Roger Williams (28), Nichols (24) and Curry (10) round out Pod A. 

The CCC 2021 spring season will feature a modified schedule that is intended to provide a robust experience, while also working to maintain a safe and healthy environment on all conference campuses.  

Teams from each pod will battle off against one-another in weekend doubleheaders with one team hosting Saturday and the site switching Sunday. Double features will be followed up by a midweek matchup of the same opponent from the previous weekend, however, the Wednesday meetings will not count towards the league ledger. 

CCC members are also allowed to play against opponents from the opposing pod during their 'bye' week. These contests will be considered non-conference. 

Due to limited competition window and the strict testing protocols, conference games that are canceled will not be made up. However, if two teams have a scheduled non-conference matchup on a later date, those games can replace the canceled conference contests.  

Suffolk's tenure has already seen changes made as the Rams originally home-and-home series with Gordon has been postponed. The blue-and-gold will now first compete against Wentworth in a double feature Saturday, March 27 at East Boston Memorial Park. Game one has a 12 p.m. start.