EAST BOSTON, Mass. – The Suffolk baseball team split a doubleheader with Saint Joseph's College Saturday afternoon, taking the first one over the Monks, 6-3, before dropping game two of the twinbill, 10-0. The Rams move to 15-5 on the season and 1-1 in GNAC play after the split.
Suffolk got its first GNAC win in gritty fashion, pouring out nine hits and breaking a 3-3 tie after the third inning. Worth Walrod earned the first start of the day, lasting 6.0 innings. The sophomore gave up seven hits, three runs and struck out three to keep his record on the mound perfect wit his fourth win of the season.
At the plate in game one, Jake Frasca played the hero, gong 1-for-3 with two RBI, including the first homer at East Boston Memorial Park. Frasca rattled a jack to the left-center fence and plated Jon Lapolla in the process to give Suffolk a 5-3 cushion after five.
After the Monks (9-8, 1-1 GNAC0 punched early to get a run on the board in the first, the Rams started its rally in the bottom of the second. Drew Carter drew a walk and Greg Speliotis singled to open up the top of the second. With runners in the corner, Matt Brenner scored Carter and advanced Speliotis to second with a ground out to shortstop. Speliotis sniped third during Sean Cameron's at bat and came home on Cameron's out. Brady Chant followed with a walk and stole second, before Rob Marks grounded out to third base to end the inning, but the damage was already done as Suffolk grabbed a 2-1 lead.
With two outs in the top of the third, Taylor Reuillard walked to push Taylor Black, who was hit by a pitch, to second. A Nic Lops double to center field brought in the Monks' runners and even the score at 2-all.
Frasca's heroics were the difference in the fifth with the freshman's second collegiate homer regaining a two-run lead for the hosts. In the bottom of the sixth, Suffolk tacked on an insurance run. With one out Cameron was the last Ram to flace Josh Partridge on the hill as the junior drew a walk. Chant faced the new arm, Marc Poirier and popped up to center. Now with two outs, Cameron was brought in on a Marks' double to left field to make it a 6-3 score in favor of the blue-and-gold.
Cal Carroll took over the reigns in the circle to clinch the victory. The senior allowed one hit and struck out two - one swinging and one looking, to secure the 6-3 win and mark his fifth win of the season, tying Suffolk's single-season record for saves.
In game two, the Rams tossed out another platoon day as Chuck Gibson (2-1), Wyatt Stanley, Charles Batchelder and Tyler Zell all made appearances on the mound. At bat, four different Rams were responsible for the this - Chant, Ronchi, Lapolla and Frasca - with Frasca being the only Ram to claim extra bases.
The two sizes held each other in check to open the first inning, but in the top of the second the Monks broke open the scoreless tie. In the third, SJC ran in three, but it was the fourth when the Monks erupted. SJC scored six runs int eh frame, thanks in large part to a Dennis Meehan single coupled with a Seth Coiley error that cleared the loaded bases with no outs.
Suffolk had chances down the stretch, including a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the fifth with one-out, but Lapolla grounded into a double play and the Rams' hopes of scoring ended.
The Rams return to action tomorrow as they visit Lasell for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
