WENHAM, Mass. – Suffolk baseball bounced back into the win column with an impressive offensive output as the Rams bats struck for 18 hits en route to a 16-2 win over Gordon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at J. Tec White Field Tuesday afternoon. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 16 | Gordon 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (12-9, 2-4 CCC) | Gordon (6-16, 2-3 CCC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk fell in a 2-run hole as the Fighting Scots scored once in the first and second, respectively.  

The Rams offense get going in the third. Jonny Gilbride got the inning going with a single before Gordon made a change on the mound. The new wing did not match up to Suffolk though as Garret Roberts barreled a double to left center to score Gilbride and an error by the host center fielder let the sophomore land on third. A fielder's choice during Joe Ward's at bat allowed Roberts to come in to lock things up at 2-all. Back-to-back base hits brought Ward around to push the visitors in front, 3-2. 

A balk in the fourth doubled the distance for the blue-and-gold. Giblride scored after reaching on a fielder's choice and working his way around the backs on a 63 ground out by Roberts and a stolen base.  

Luke Harder got into the offensive action in the fifth. The junior right fielder doubled to left center to bring in Painter and Birbiglia. Painter doubled down the left field line and Marc Birbiglia capitalized on an error by Fighting Scots second baseman Andrew Hartman.  

Things got really lopsided in the eighth when the Rams exploded for six runs on seven hits and one Gordon miscue. The saw Timothy McCarthy and Roberts pick up a pair of RBI, while Painter and Harder earned one apiece on a base on balls and single, respectively.  

Suffolk's scoring did not stop there as homers in the ninth padded the margin even further. Roberts solo shot was followed by a three-run bomb from Painter that made it a 16-2 game. 

Billy Beneke made his collegiate debut to close things out. The freshman shook off some jitters that allowed two Fighting Scots to reach on walks, before the right-hander retired the side to wrap up the conference contest.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Michael Muscarella earned the decision behind a two-run, four-hit, two-walk, four-strikeout effort over 6.0 innings. 
• Casey Sullivan (1 H), Pierce Salbego (1 H, 1 K) and Beneke (2 BB) each shoved 1.0 inning of scoreless relief. 
• Charlie Perdue suffered the setback after letting up five runs, four earned, on five hits and three walks with one K in 3.0 innings. 
• Anrew Marzettta started on the bump for the Fighting Scots. He was pulled after 2.0 innings in which he allowed one run on three hits. 
• Brandon Bloom (2.1 IP, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 1 K), Zack Fay (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB) and Reid Gohlke (1.0, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) all came out of the pen for the home team.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• All three of Roberts hits were good for extra bases. The sophomore had two doubles and a dinger for four RBI and three runs scored. 
• Painter provided a 3-for-5 effort that included a two-bagger and jack. He brought in three runs and scored two himself. 
• Harder notched three RBI on two hits, including a double, scored one run and stole one base. 
• Gilbride added three runs, two hits and one stolen base. 
• Christian Seariac supplied two hits and two runs scored. 
• Blase Cormier put together a 3-for-4 day with one run scored. 
• McCarthy collected two RBI on one hit.   

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk defeated Gordon in back-to-back battles for the first time in program history. 
• The Rams moved to 3-4 all-time against the Fighting Scots. 
• Suffolk improved to 2-3 in Wenham, Massachusetts versus Gordon. 
• The 16 runs scored are the most for the blue-and-gold since its 20-5, seven-inning offensive outburst at Gordon April 24, 2021. 
• The Rams have outscored the Fighting Scots, 36-7 in the last two meetings. 
• Suffolk knocked multiple dingers for the ninth time this season. 
• Beneke made his first collegiate appearance. 
• Lake logged his first career defensive innings at first base.
• Gilbride scored a personal-best three times. 
• Harder tied a career-high three RBI.
• Harder extended his hit streak to four games. In that span he has six hits, half of which have been doubles. 
• Painter produced his eighth homer of the year. 
• Painter pushed his hit streak to 11 games. In that stretch he has 20 hits, including four doubles, two triples and six home runs.
• Roberts hit a career-best two doubles and brought in a personal-high four runs. 
• Roberts went yard for the fourth time this season.   

POST-GAME PIC

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk sets its sights on this weekend when it heads across town to UMass Boston Saturday, April 9 for a doubleheader that starts at 12 p.m., before hosting Middlebury in a nine-inning bout Sunday, April 10. First pitch at East Boston Memorial Park is set for 1 p.m. with a Senior Day ceremony following the action.