Patriots Day Pits Softball at Rivier

BOSTON – The Suffolk softball team returns to the diamond on Patriots Day, Monday, April 17, for a GNAC doubleheader at Rivier. Game one is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.  

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LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk softball team tied things up in the seventh, but St. Joseph's walked away with the win, 4-3, to split the GNAC doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Richard Bailey Field. 

MORE READING: Softball Splits with St. Joe's, Falls in Game 2, 4-3

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Suffolk's split with the Monks Saturday put the Rams at .500 on the season (12-12) and against conference competition (4-4). 

Underclassman Ashley Zulla and Jil Pulek are the power at the plate this season with the pair each hitting over .400. Zulla's .410 average leads the way as the freshman slugs .639 and has an on-base percentage of .639. Her 25 hits, nine of which came for extra bases, have produced eight RBI with the right fielder coming home 16 times. Pulek, meanwhile, hits .400, slugs .718 and owns a .420 on-base percentage. The designated hitter's 34 hits have produced 26 RBI to go along with 16 runs. 

Ali Yamakaitis is the most successful hurler for the Rams as the junior heads into the week with a 2.15 ERA in 12 appearances/starts with a 6-6 record featuring 49 strikeouts in 78.0 innings. Taylor Holmes has worked 57.2 frames inside the circle for Suffolk. The junior twirler boasts a 4.73 ERA with 42 Ks in 14 appearances, 11 starts.   

RAIDERS REVIEW
Riviver has fallen in its last four outings, including back-to-back run-rule defeats at Emmanuel to head into action Monday night 8-14 overall and 2-8 in the GNAC. 

A trio of Raiders' hitters average above .300 at the plate. Taylor Rowsell's paces the pack with a .362 average, slugging .681 and owning an on-base percentage of .400. The freshman has 17 hits, 17 RBI and has scored 10 runs. Shaylyn Freitas (.328/.411.375) and Desirae Brawn (.310/.375/.655) round out Rivier's top three. Freitas' 21 hits have brought in 15 runs with the senior scoring 15 herself. Brawn owns seven RBI on nine hits and six runs scored. 

Seven different Raiders have seen action inside the circle this season for Rivier. Kerri Hegarty owns the lowest ERA of the bunch at .343 in 16.1 innings through six appearances and two starts. Kendall Stanton is the most experienced pitcher of the bunch, working 42.0 frames for an ERA of .417. Stanton has sat down 21 batters, while Hegarty has fanned seven hitters.  

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk has downed Rivier in its last seven meetings to grab a 27-22 lead in the all-time series. The Rams are 7-2 against the Raiders under Jaclyn Davis' guidance.   

EYES ON THE GAME

COMING UP
Suffolk remains on the road as it takes a day off before heading to St. Joseph (Conn.) Wednesday, April 19. The conference twin bill has a 3 p.m. first pitch.