BOSTON – Ram Nation now has the chance to get a glimpse into Suffolk Athletics history though clippings and pictures from the Rams’ record books and archives.
April 30 has a pair of milestones in Suffolk baseball history.
The first came 20 years ago today, the Rams’ first-ever GNAC Championship.
In its first season in the conference, under the director of then-head coach Cary McConnell, Suffolk handled their league ledger, posting an unblemished 16-0 regular-season record versus conference counterparts to cruise into the post-season tournament as the top seed. That unbeaten mark continued in the playoffs as the blue-and-gold took down team-after-team, including a 2-1 victory over Western New England in the championship contest be crowned GNAC champs for the first time.
After the Golden Bears got on the board first in the fourth, Suffolk played catchup and used a two-run fifth to take a one-run edge it would not relinquish.
Peter Quinn dealt the Rams to victory, allowing just one run on five hits and sat down an impressive 16 hitters for the win on the hill.
Gabe Soto, who went 3-for-4 at the dish, brought in the tying-run for Suffolk before scoring the go-ahead, eventual game-winning run himself.
Eleven years after hoisting the league trophy for the first time, the Rams were playing for GNAC glory once again.
Suffolk played its way out of the losers’ bracket of the 2011 as Matt Sliney slung a complete-game-fourth-hitter to guide the Rams to a 7-2 victory.
That win was historic as it not only marked the then-13th consecutive season that the blue-and-gold reached the 20-win plateau, but was McConnell’s 400th career win as Suffolk’s skipper.
Sliney was the story in the triumph as he pitched 6.1 innings of no-hit baseball before the no-no was broken up with a single through the left side of the infield. The sophomore southpaw would keep the Wildcats off balance all night as he fanned seven, only allowing four hits and two earned runs.
The Rams jumped out quickly, scoring twice in the first frame before opening things up in the fourth with four runs to go ahead 6-0.
Jake Cintolo added
insurance in the eight as he connected on his first homer of the season to finish the night with a 3-for-5 effort and a pair of RBI.
Be on the lookout for more historical days in Suffolk Athletics history and use the hashtag #RamsRewind to see them all.
If there is a day from your time at Suffolk that should be included, please complete this form or contact Sports Information Directory Amy Barry at abarry7@suffolk.edu.