Baseball’s GNAC Regular Season Closes at JWU

BOSTON – The Suffolk baseball team wraps up its regular-season GNAC schedule at Johnson & Wales Saturday, April 29. First pitch in Providence is set for 12 p.m. 

SOCIALIZE
Stay up-to-date with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics by connecting with the Rams on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Be sure to use the hashtag #RamNation for an insider's look at Suffolk's teams and student-athletes.

LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk baseball team came back from an eight-run deficit, but could not hold off a late rally from UMass Dartmouth as the Corsairs took a 13-8 non-conference game from the Rams Thursday at East Boston Memorial Park.     

MORE READING: UMass Dartmouth Charles Late to Take Down Baseball 13-8

RAMS RUNDOWN
With a first-round bye already secured, Suffolk looks to add two more wins to its 20-10 overall mark and 11-1 league ledger. 

Eighth of the Rams' nine everyday starters are hitting over .300 acnhored by Suffolk's upperclassmen. Seth Coiley anchors things with a .361 average on 30 hits with 19 RBI and 22 runs scored. Luke Ronchi is second on the squad, hitting .358, with 38 hits, 26 RBI and 28 runs scored. Matt Brenner sits among the top three in nearly every statistically category as the senior catcher hits .346 and slugs .529 for 36 hits, 26 RBI and 30 runs scored. Brady Chant leads the way for the Rams in multiple categories, registering 43 hits, 21 for extra bases including 10 doubles and 10 triples. The junior centerfielder owns a slash line of .328/.392/.580, has brought in 24 runners and crossed home 31 times. 

Suffolk's staff is propelled by the arms of Mark Fusco, Chuck Gibson and Ryan Pordes. Fusco's 1.24 ERA leads the way as the junior right-handed pitcher owns a 3-3 record in seven appearances, five starts with 29.0 innings of work and 19 Ks. Gibson is second on thes quad with a 1.86 ERA through 38.2 frames. The senior is unbeaten, 5-0, in five starts with two saves and two complete games, fanning 29 batters. Pordes' 3.19 ERA rounds out the trio. The junior rightie has dealt the most for the Rams, 48.0 innings, to own a team-best 35 strikeouts.    

WILDCAT WAYS
Johnson & Wales carries an 18-16 overall mark into Saturday and sits 7-5 in conference action. 

The trio of Dave Matthews, Lou Umberto and Rob Ballinger are the Wildcats' threats at the plate. Matthews leads the way in average (.388), slugging percentage (.545), hits (47) and RBI (30) to go with 30 runs scored. Ballinger's 37 runs pace the pack as the junior outfielder hits .371 with 43 hits and 19 RBI to his credit. Umberto's .372 average on 45 hits with 25 runs scored and 20 RBI rounds out the threesome. 

James Smiegocki and Rich Marshall are the top two arms for JWU. Smiegocki clocks in at a 2.23 ERA through 48.1 innings featuring 31 strikeouts. Marshall serves as the Wildcats closer. The junior sports an ERA of2.57 in 10 appearances and two saves with 12 Ks. 

EYES ON THE GAME

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES
Brady Chant added more accolades to his growing resume as the junior won this week's national poll conducted by Herosports.com as the Offensive HERO of the Week in Division III baseball. 

MORE READING: Chant Snags Vote: Named HeroSports.com DIII Offensive HERO of the Week 

TRIPLE TRANSCRPIT
Brady Chant rewrote the Rams' record books on Patriots Day as the junior knocked his 10th triple of the season bringing his career total to 20 to sit atop Suffolk's single-season all-time triple marks. 

MORE READING: Chant Sets Suffolk's Triple Record 

COMING UP
Suffolk preps for the GNAC tournament with two top regional opponents as the Rams stop by Endicott Sunday, April 30 for a doubleheader before entering No. 13/19 Salve Regina in Eastie Monday, May 1.