EAST BOSTON – Suffolk softball scored early and often to take a 7-3 win over Wentworth in game one of a non-conference doubleheader Sunday morning at East Boston Memorial Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 7 | Wentworth 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-12) | Wentworth (0-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Caitlin Murphy led off the game with an infield single and stole second to get into scoring position. The junior didn't have to sneak to second though as Rachel Doan sent a rocket to left center to clear the bags and give the hosts an early 2-0 lead.
Wentworth threatened in the top of the third. Sabrina Haarstick walked and Jacqueli Kassis placed a perfect bunt down to for a single. Kaitlin Pettenger hit a deep ball to the right field fence and Haarstick turned on her wheels to come in and slice the margin half.
With no outs and a pair of runners in scoring position, Briana Beverly looked to sacrifice herself with a fly ball to left. Brooke Cloak was there to make the catch and fired a missile home to catch Kassis at the plate. The junior left fielder's toss in was perfectly place, hitting Ashley Zulla's glove in time to get the out and complete the double play and keep Suffolk in front.
Suffolk made up that ground and then some in the home half of the inning. Leina Belog drew a bases loaded walk to regain the two-run margin. Cloak connected to put the ball in play on the next play and Wentworth's third baseman Ceilidh Higgins got an unassisted out at the hot corner and went home for the double play, but the Leopards catcher Jacklyn Verrette dropped the ball, which allowed Zulla to score and push things to 4-1.
Zulla had a hand in more runs in the fourth. This time she sent a ball out of the park and brought in Ally Cifaratta, who singled, with her to extend matters to 6-1.
The Rams runs kept coming in the fifth even with Wentworth's pitching chance as Erin Hancock came in to take over for Kayla DeMedeiros. With two outs Murphy kept the inning going as she drew a base on balls. Doan then collected another RBI, her third of the day, on a base hit to left center to stretch the score to 7-1 Suffolk.
Wentworth attempted to comeback in the seventh and managed to punch a pair of runs on the board, to pull within four, but Suffolk kept the visitors there to pull out the win.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Constance Phelan registered the win. Suffolk's starter let up three runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
- DeMedeiros suffered the setback after giving up six runs, three earned, on 10 hits and two walks. She sat down one hitter.
- Hancock came in for 2.0 innings of relief in which she allowed one run on one hit and two walks with a pair of Ks.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Cifaratta went 3-for-4 at the dish with one double and two runs scored.
- Doan provided three RBI on two hits, including a homer, with one run scored.
- Zulla contributed two hits, one jack, two RBI and two runs scored.
- Murphy scored twice, stole three bags and knocked one hit.
- Scripter chipped in a pair of hits.
- Belog brought in one run and had one hit.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk defeated Wentworth for the sixth straight outing to improve to 16-3 all-time against Leopards.
- Suffolk remains unbeaten all-time against Wentworth under Jaclyn Davis' guidance, 5-0.
- Doan knocked her first collegiate homer. She also collected the first RBI of her career with the jack.
- Doan hit a career-high two hits.
- Murphy matched a career-high three stolen bases.
- Zulla hit her third homer of the season.
POST-GAME PIC
SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
Suffolk and Wentworth wrap up the weekend this afternoon.
