Softball Heads to Mt. Ida, Sends Seniors Off Against Albertus Magnus
In a GNAC full weekend, the Suffolk softball team looks to get back on track as it heads out on the road before saluting its Senior Class. The Rams will first visit Mount Ida Saturday, April 21, before welcoming Albertus Magnus to East Boston Memorial Park Sunday, April 22 for Senior Day. First pitch on both days is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Game 2
Game 2
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0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
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5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | X | 11 | 14 | 1 |
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APRIL 21 | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
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Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 17-3 |
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APRIL 22 | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
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Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 33-15 |
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BOSTON – In a GNAC full weekend, the Suffolk softball team looks to get back on track as it heads out on the road before saluting its Senior Class. The Rams will first visit Mount Ida Saturday, April 21, before welcoming Albertus Magnus to East Boston Memorial Park Sunday, April 22 for Senior Day. First pitch on both days is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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SENIOR SALUTE
Suffolk's six seniors – Madison Eucalitto, Devlin Frost, Taylor Holmes, Sydney Littlefield, Delaney Sylvester and Ali Yamakaitis – have the chance to graduate as the Rams' winningest class in softball history. The members of the Class of 2018 are just two wins shy of tying the record held by the Class of 2017 and three from setting a new milestone to chase.
Individually they are scattered throughout Suffolk softball's record books, but as a whole, they have combined to do what only two other four-year classes have done before, win 100 victories. They accomplished the feat with a 9-1, five-inning triumph over Regis April 11.
The soon-to-be graduates, who are members of Suffolk softball's winningest team, 33-9, in 2016, have helped Suffolk to three GNAC postseason appearances, including a championship run in 2017, and back-to-back regular season titles in 2015 and 2016.
Collectively, the six have combined for 558 hits – 95 doubles, 15 triples, 41 homers – 342 RBI, 341 runs at the plate and 436 strikeouts, 634 innings and 66 wins in the circle.
LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk softball team saw its 14-game win streak come to a halt Wednesday night as the Rams could not complete the comeback and fell to Lasell, 4-3, at Taylor Field.
MORE READING: Lasell Snaps Softball's Streak, 4-3, in Series Nightcap
WHERE WE STAND
With 14 conference contests under its belt, Suffolk sits in two-way tie for second with Albertus Magnus with a 12-2 league ledger. Johnson & Wales maintains the top spot with a 14-2 mark.
RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk brings in a 19-7 overall record and 12-2 mark against league foes into the weekend.
The Rams have the most potent offense in the conference with team-leading numbers in batting average (.369), on-base percentage (.430) and slugging percentage (.554) with the most runs scored (186), thanks to the most hits (263) and RBI (166).
Individually, five everyday hitters are batting over .400 led by Ashely Zulla's .479 average. The sophomore outfielder has brought in 22 runs on 34 hits and scored 22 times herself. The Sylvester sisters fall in a close second and third as each has recorded 36 hits. Delaney Sylvseter, who is batting .474, has plated a team-best 25 runs to go along with 23 runs scored. Payton Sylvester, meanwhile, has 24 RBI and has crossed home a squad-high 25 times.
Suffolk's staff is just as threatening as its offense with a 2.57 ERA paced by the undefeated arm of Taylor Holmes. The senior RHP holds a conference-best 1.18 ERA in seven starts, all of which she has captured the win, with 41.2 innings of work under her belt and 33 strikeouts. Payton Sylvester holds a sub 2.00 ERA at 1.63 with 38.2 frames of action and 34 Ks. Ali Yamakaitis completes the Rams' top trio as the senior RHP, who has seen the most action in the circle, 53.2 inning, brings in an ERA of 3.00 with a squad-best 36 punchouts.
MUSTANGS MENTIONABLES
Mount Ida will play back-to-back-to-back as its weekend action kicks off Friday, April 20 at Johnson & Wales. The Mustangs carry a 12-15 overall record and 6-6 league ledger into the Friday afternoon.
Hayley Microulis has had a standout senior season thus far, hitting .410 with 32 hits, 23 RBI and 18 runs scored. Sophomore Alisa Benson is also a crucial component at the plate with 32 hits and four RBI behind a .368 average with 24 runs scored.
Carrigan Costello and Madeleine Smith form the Mustangs one-two punch in the circle. Smith brings in a 2.37 ERA through 71.0 innings of work in 11 starts, while Costello holds an ERA of 4.39 in 67.0 frames of work and 12 starts.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk is unbeaten versus Mount Ida in the Jaclyn Davis era, rattling off 11 consecutive victories, including five series sweeps under Davis' guidance, to hold a commanding 17-3 all-time series lead.
EYES ON THE GAME
FALCONS FACTS
Albertus Magnus, who will trek to Norwich Saturday before coming to Eastie, sits 19-8 on the season and 12-2 in league play.
Gillian Fortier is the leading bat for the Falcons with the senior producing 33 hits and 14 RBI on a slash line of .440/.528/.680 to go along with 21 runs scored. Laura Anderson (.358, 24 H, 20 RBI, 14 R) and Kristen Cunning (24 H, 14 RBI and 13 R) are also threats at the dish with the sophomore and junior each batting .358.
Laura Anderson is the top arm for Albertus Magnus. The sophomore holds a 1.78 ERA over 59.0 innings with 25 strikeouts. Cunning has worked the most time in the circle, 75.0 frames through 12 starts, and holds a 2.33 ERA and 45 Ks. Megan Ferraro is also a consistent starter for the Falcons as the senior has seen 31.2 innings of action and holds a 3.54 ERA with 20 punchouts.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk had taken down the Falcons in the last four meetings, including a win-or-go-home GNAC playoff game last season to hold a 33-15 all-time record versus Albertus Magnus.
EYES ON THE GAME
GNAC CORVIAS WEEKLY AWARD SWEEP
For the first time in the Jaclyn Davis era, and first time in the league record books, which date through the 2009s season, Suffolk softball swept the GNAC Corvias Weekly awards, with the Rams winning player, pitcher and rookie of the week accolades.
MORE READING: Softball Sweeps GNAC Corvias Weekly Awards
NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES
Delaney Sylvester of the Suffolk softball team collected more weekly accolades to her resume as the senior catcher was tabbed HeroSports.com DIII Hitting HERO of the Week after capturing the week-long national poll.
MORE READING: Sylvester Wins Vote, Named HeroSports.com DIII Hitter HERO of the Week
COMING UP
Suffolk has a hectic last week of the regular season with eight games over five days. First up for the Rams is a twinbill with Saint Joseph's (Maine) Tuesday, April 24 in Eastie. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.