MYRTLE BEACH – Suffolk softball picked up its first win of the 2022 season and did so in shutout, mercy-rule fashion as the Rams blanked Worcester State, 8-0, in six innings at the Fastpitch Dreams Softball Classic at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex Monday afternoon.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 8 | Worcester State 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-2) | Worcester State (2-2)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk did not waste time to get on the scoreboard as Caitlin Murphy singled to short to open the game. The senior worked her way around the bases on a steal and passed ball before Jolie Quintana's sacrifice fly brought the centerfielder in to push the blue-and-gold in front, 1-0.  

Following a three-up, three-down inning by the Lancers the Rams did more damage in the second. Costly errors by Worcester State's short stop allowed the first run of the inning in before Murphy and Alexa White collected RBI on a ground out and base hit, respectively, to extend the advantage to 4-0.  

Two innings later, Murphy brought in her second run of the day in on a single through the right side that plated Ashley King, who opened the inning with a base hit through the opposite side of the infield. 

Up 5-0, a scoreless fifth was followed by a three-run Suffolk sixth that made the margin more than comfortable, 8-0. Smart base running caught Worcester State off guard more than once, which allowed the Rams to score twice. Murphy, who raced out a bunt for a base hit, crossed home on White's single to center.  

With the run-rule in effect, Ashlyn Conley's composure in the circle paid off as the freshman did her job and the blue-and-gold's defense backed her up to put a bow on the victory. 

PITCHERS PICTURE

• White registered the win behind a two-hit, two-strike-out, 4.0-inning out. 
• Conley shoved 2.0 innings of scoreless relief with two hits allowed and one strikeout.
• Emily Barlett suffered the loss after giving up eight runs, six earned on nine hits and one walk with five strikeouts scattered over 5.1 frames. 
• Jen Thorburn came in for 0.2 innings of scoreless, hitless relief. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Murphy had a day at the dish with a 3-for-4 effort with three RBI and two runs scored to go along with one stolen base. 
• Ashley King scored three times, went 2-for-3 with one double and stole one base. 
• White added two hits and two RBI. 
• Gonzalez scored twice and swiped one bag.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk secured the first win in the Janet Maguire era. 
• Suffolk met Worcester State for the first time in program history. 
• The Rams won via mercy rule for the first time since blanking Roger Williams, 9-0, in five frames April 24, 2021. 
• The shutout is also the first since keeping the Hawks off the April 24, 2021. 
• Conley made her first collegiate appearance.  
• Conley knocked the first hit of her college career.
• Murphy matched a career-high in RBI (3) and hits (3). 
• White matched a personal-best in hits (2) and brought in the first runs of her collegiate career. 
• Quintana registered her first collegiate RBI and sacrifice hit. 
• King tallied her first collegiate hit, double and run scored.  

POST-GAME PIC
 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk wraps up its second day of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic tonight against Albright.