AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Suffolk baseball secured a doubleheader sweep of Wentworth as the Rams put together its second 6-0 shutout in as many games to take down the Leopards Saturday afternoon at Lake Myrtle Park at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitaitonal.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 6 | Wentworth 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-1) | Wentworth (2-8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
With two outs in the bottom of the first and Will Hopkins in scoring position thanks to a base hit and a steal, Blase Cormier brought his classmate in with a single through the left side to give the Rams' an early 1-0 edge.
The score stayed there until the home half of the third when Suffolk's bats used extra base hits to push its advantage to five. Rich Gilbride collected a RBI on a triple to left center that plated Nik San Antonio, before strutting in himself on a deep double to right by Hopkins. Suffolk's scoring continued when Cormier sent a shot over the fence, which scored himself and Hopkins for the 5-0 margin.
Wentworth's shortstop allowed the Rams' final run of the day get on the board as Aidan French dropped a fly ball, which let Hopkins, who reached on a single, score.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Steven Rossi made the most of his debut on the bump. The freshman arm sat down eight hitters, walked four and gave up just two hits in 6.0 innings of work.
- Michael Muscarella worked the final frame for the Rams and allowed just a pair of hits in his first time on the hill at Suffolk.
- Matt Perconti suffered the setback for Wentworth after giving up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and one walk. The starter sat down five Ram batters.
- Ethan Hebard came out of the pen for the Leopards and let in one run on hit in one inning of work.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Hopkins had a at bat with a 4-for-4 effort, which included one double, for one RBI and three runs to go along with three stolen bags.
- Cormier went 2-for-3 with one hit being a home to finish the day with three RBI and one run.
- Tim Brigham produced a multi-hit day as well with a 2-for-3 showing.
- Rich Gilbride, Rich Giandrea and Joe Rufo each provided one hit to the Rams' 11-hit effort.
- San Antonio scored one run.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk improved to 2-0 all-time versus Wentworth under Anthony Del Prete's leadership with both victories coming in shutout fashion.
- The Rams extended their win streak versus the Leopards to five to take a push their all-time series lead to 14-3.
- Brigham had two hits for the second straight game.
- Hopkins registered a personal-best three stolen bases and four hits, while matching a career-high in doubles (1).
- Cormier matched a career-high three hits and hit his first collegiate dinger.
- Rossi and Muscarella each made their debuts on the mound.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk has a twinbill with Mount Union in store tomorrow, Sunday, March 10. Game one is set for a 10:00 a.m. at Sanford Stadium in Sanford, Florida.
