EAST BOSTON – Steven Shamnoski rocked a two-RBI, go-ahead homer to sent Suffolk baseball past Saint Joseph's (Maine), 8-5, Saturday afternoon on a gorgeous afternoon at East Boston Memorial Park. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 8, Saint Joseph's (Maine) 5
RECORDS: Suffolk (19-15, 12-1 GNAC) | Saint Joseph's (Maine) (22-6, 9-2 GNAC)  

HOW IT HAPPANED
Each team had a base hit in the book in the first frame, but neither took advantage as zeros stood on the board heading into the second, where the Monks rallied. St. Joe's racked up four runs off five hits including a two RBI triple from Monks' centerfielder Jared Gagne. In a four-run hole, the Rams made up some ground as Rich Gilbride found left side gap with the bases loaded to trim the margin to three, 4-1.  

In the bottom of the third,Trevor Lee and Will Hopkins sandwiched walks around two outs. With runners on first and second, Blasé Cormier barreled a double down the left field line to clear the bases make it a one-run game, 4-3.  

Suffolk made it a new ball game in the fourth as it leveled the playing field. St. Joe's made a change on the hill as Steven Albert came out of the pen to deal. With one down, Gilbride beat out a throw for a base hit. He then took advantage of a bobble by the Monks second baseman and advanced to third during Brady Chant's at bat to put runners in the corners. Gilbride scored the tying run on a 64 fielder's choice play to second to even the score at 4 apiece.  

A two-out double in the top half of the sixth gave the Monks a one-run edge once again. Suffolk made up ground quickly and did so in home run fashion. With Cormier on second after the freshman singled to short and advanced on a wild pitch Shamnoski sent a shot over the left field fence to put the Rams ahead for the first time on the afternoon, 6-5. Gilbride matched Shamnoski's spot in left field with a dinger of his own to give Suffolk a two-cushion. Seth Coiley's base hit up the middle plated Chant, who singled to center, to push the Rams' advantage to 8-5.  

The Rams locked up the win on three long outs.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Ryan Pordes picked up the win on the hill with a five-run, 10-hit, no-walk, six-strikeout complete-game. 
• In relief work, Steven Albert suffered the setback after allowing back-to-back bombs. Over 2.1 frames, the Monks' arm gave up four runs on four hits and sat down one batter. 
• Travis Godbout started the contest on the hill. He went 3.0 innings where he gave up three runs on four hits and four walks with four punchouts.  

STATISCALLY SPEAKING

• Shamnoski's day featured two hits, one jack, for two RBI and one RBI. 
• Gilbride, meanwhile, went 3-for-3 with home run to bring in two runs and score two himself. 
• Cormier also produced at the plate as he went 2-for-2 with one double, two RBI and two runs. 
• Coiley rounded out the Rams with multi-hits with two in four plate appearances.  

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams have won 12 conference games for two consecutive campaigns, matching a best in the Anthony Del Prete era. 
• Shamnoski had a career day as his first collegiate homer provided personal-bests RBI (2) with the rookie also recorded a career-high two runs and matched a personal-high two hits. 
• Gilbride also had a career outing with personal three hits including his first homer as a Ram and two RBI, which matches a personal high. 
• Cormier matched a career-high two runs scored.   

POST-GAME PIC
 

COMING UP
Suffolk concludes its 2018 GNAC regular season as it closes the doubleheader with the Monks this afternoon.