EAST BOSTON – Suffolk baseball earned a series sweep with Norwich Sunday after an 8-3 game two win over the Cadets at East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 8 | Norwich 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (8-7-1, 2-0 GNAC) | Norwich (2-10, 0-2 GNAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Norwich struck first with one run in the first frame and the Rams one-upped the Cadets in the bottom of the inning to grab a 2-1 edge. Suffolk's scoring started when Will Hopkins ran out of his helmet with a triple to right center to score the game-tying run in Ben Isaak, who worked his way to second on a single and stolen base. Tim Brigham followed Hopkins' extra-base hit with one of his own, a double down the left field line, to put the blue-and-gold ahead by one.
An inning later, a sac fly from Rich Gilbride pushed the margin to a pair, but not for long as the Cadets answered in the top of the third thanks to a Rams error to make it a one-run game once again, 3-2.
More Suffolk scoring game in the home half of the fourth when Logan Heckman brought in two runs on his first collegiate triple, the Rams' second of the day, to extend the hosts advantage to three, 5-2.
Norwich continued to nick at the margin and trimmed things back to two in the top of the fifth, but once again response by the Rams came in the next half inning. Brigham's second double of the game scored Hopkins, who reached on a double of his own, to regain the three-run distance.
Suffolk added to its advantage in the sixth. Gilbride got in on the triple action to bring in pinch runner Nik San Antonio, who replaced Steven Shamnoski on the bags, and Gilbride came in a productive ground out from Blase Cormier to extend the Rams' cushion to five, 8-3.
The Cadets looked to catchup in the seventh and had their chances. Back-to-back base hits and a stolen base put runners in the corners for Norwich, but the Rams converted a successful 64 putout to lock up the win and double feature sweep.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Steven Rossi earned the decision behind a three-run, four-hit, three-walk, one-strikeout effort over 4.1 innings.
- Parker Browne picked up the save in 2.1 frames of scoreless work, allowing three hits with one punchout.
- Jake Ryan slipped to 0-3 on the year after letting up six runs, five earned, on nine hits and one walk.
- Chris Henderson came out of the pen for the Cadets. He let up two runs on one hit, one walk with one strikeout in 1.2 innings of action.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Hopkins had a day at the dish with a 3-for-4 effort, six total bases thanks to one double and triple, respectively, for one RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base.
- Both of Brigham's hits were doubles as the designated hitter brought in two runs.
- Trevor Lee registered two runs and one hit.
- Isaak added one hit, one run and swiped two bags.
- Gilbride produced two RBI on one hit, a triple, one run and one sac fly.
- Heckman recorded two RBI on one triple.
NOTEWORTHY
- The Rams remain unbeaten all-time (10-0) versus Norwich with Anthony Del Prete as manager.
- Suffolk improved to 40-1 in the all-time series with Norwich.
- The Rams moved to 9-0 all-time versus Norwich under Del Prete and 39-1 all-time against the Cadets in the all-time series.
- Suffolk had three triples for the first time this season and first time since notching four in a 30-8 win over Anna Maria, April 15. 2017.
- Brigham produced a career-high two doubles.
- Hopkins matched a career-high six total bases.
- Isaak matched a persona-best two stolen bases.
- Browne earned his first collegiate save.
- Heckman tallied his first collegiate triple and matched a career-high three total bases.
- Gilbride notched a triple for the third time in a Suffolk sweater.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk steps out of league action with a midweek matchup against Western New England Wednesday, March 27. First pitch at East Boston Memorial Park is set for 4 p.m.
