Posted: Apr 25, 2016
NEWPORT, R.I. - All the Suffolk baseball team needed was the first inning as the Rams put seven runs on the board to cruise to a 16-10 victory over Salve Regina in non-conference action at North Field Monday afternoon.
The Seahawks (19-12-1) have had multiple comebacks this season, but the Rams (27-9) did not rest on their lead as they added one run in the second and two more in the third to sit comfortably with a 10-3 cushion. The score held at 10-3 until the top of the sixth when Suffolk added five more runs for a 15-3 lead that put the game out of reach. Sean Cameron doubled scoring Luke Ronchi then Rob Marks singled scoring both Cameron and Matt Brenner. Finally, Julien Plana's homer, just the second of the senior's career and first this season, drove in two runs for the 15-3 edge.
The scoring started with the bases loaded with one out and Jake Frasca at the plate. A Salve Regina error allowed Brady Chant to come in. Singles by Kevin Belskie and Brenner each advanced the score with Belskie notching one RBI and Brenner plating two. In his second at bat of the inning and the day, Chant knocked a three RBI double, scoring Belskie, Brenner and Cameron for the 7-0 advantage.
A fielder's choice in the second inning allowed Carter to saunter home in the second, before the hosts brought in three in the bottom of the inning. Leading 8-3, the Rams used a two RBI single by Carter to plate Chant and Marks and take their 10-3 lead.
A quiet game ensued until the top of the sixth when Cameron's double got the ball going again for the Rams. The junior shortstop scored Ronchi and Marks followed with a two RBI single before Plana hit one out of the park good for two runs to make it a 15-3 game.
The Seahawks hit a home run of their own in the bottom of the seventh and Brenner responded with a solo shot in the top of the eighth for Suffolk's final run of the day. Hunter Sleeper's three RBI jack in the bottom of the inning made it 16-8, before Damon Raposa's two RBI triple sealed the 16-10 score.
Charles Batchelder went five innings, the only pitcher to go more than two innings for either team, earning his first win of the season and of his collegiate career.
Suffolk will take its talents to the North Shore Wednesday night for a 6 p.m. non-conference game at Endicott.