SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In a true twirler's dual, Suffolk softball came out on the wrong side of a 2-0 decision to Western New England in the nightcap of a Conference of New England doubleheader Saturday at Golden Bear Softball Park.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0 | Western New England 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (16-20, 10-8 CNE) | Western New England (22-15-1, 10-7-1 CNE)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk looked to start out strong as it filled the bases in the first frame, however, the three runners were stranded there to keep a zero on the visitor's side of the board.
Cynthia Rucinski controlled the circle to hold WNE scoreless through four frames.
In the fifth, the Rams managed to have runners on first and second with two outs, but once again, Suffolk was unable to capitalize on the multiple base runners and the score stayed 0-0.
The Golden Bears managed to break open the shutout in the home half of the inning. Ava Barnhart singled and swiped second before Shea McDaniel traded places with her as she barreled a doubled to left center to give the host a 1-0 edge.
WNE doubled the distance in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a pair of hits and a costly error by Suffolk's shortstop Lily Gustafson.
Down two, Diana Rucinski managed to muscle a one-out single up the middle to bring the tying run to the plate. With two chances, Catherine Carignan popped up to short and Gustafson went down swinging, which caused Suffolk to take the setback.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Cynthia Rucinski registered the loss as she gave up two runs, one earned, on six hits and three strikeouts over 6.0 innings.
- Riley Kane logged a four-hit, three-walk, two-strikeout, complete-game shutout.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Diana Rucinski went 2-for-3 to be responsible for half of the Rams' four hits.
- Ella Turnbull and Julia Mills registered one hit apiece.
- Gustafson walked once and stole one base.
- Lily Newhall put down one sac bunt.
- Carignana and Jolie Quintana walked once each.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk awaits the official seeding of the 2025 CNE Softball Tournament.