Softball Set for Season Opener at Spring Games

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THE SPRING GAMES
THE Spring Games is the World's largest college softball event. It was founded in 2008 by Dr. Dot Richardson and is held in Clermont, Florida at the Legends Way Ballfields at the National Training Center. The Games are a series of college softball games open to all colleges and universities across the USA and Canada, which hosts Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior College (JUCO) throughout the Lake County and Central Florida. 

A LOOK BACK
Suffolk made it to the conference championship clash once again a year ago, but came up short versus Johnson & Wales to finish as the GNAC's runner up for the second straight season and 31-9 overall. The Rams' race for the conference crown saw the blue-and-gold take the regular-season title behind a 22-2 league ledger.  

RAMS ROSTER
Jaclyn Davis has a fresh look to her roster this season as the 18 student-athletes who assemble to the ranks are split in half by returners and rookies. Highlighting the group is two-time all-league selection junior Ashley Zulla (.432/.500, .802), who will take her talents from right field to behind the dish this year.  

Seniors Jaclyn Flint (.381/.423/.571), McKenzie McGrath (.361/.410/.435) and Hannah DelCervo (10.2 IP, 15 Ks) are back in blue-and-gold for their final campaigns and look to lead Suffolk to GNAC glory for their first time in the Davis era and first since the league's inaugural season in 1996. 

Suffolk will also get a boost from its quartet of sophomores Grace Boehler, Hailey Cockroft, Kelly Keane and Constance Phelan, who built up solid experience last season.

RAMS ROOKIES
Suffolk's nine-member freshmen class is built up of variety of talent with two positional pitchers in Alexis Bonilla and Kennedy Reyes. Bonilla can also play first, while Reyes can fill in where needed as a utility. Karina Bua and Riley Mulligan are also utility players, while Brianna Loughlin, Bianca Luciano and Caitlin Murphy are strictly outfielders. Brooke Cloak will bring more experience in the infield along with Julia Carfagno, who suits up as a catcher or in the infield. 

ON THE BENCH
Jaclyn Davis enters her seventh season as head coach of Suffolk softball. Two years ago, she cemented her spot as the winningest coach all-time in Suffolk softball history and currently sits with a 168-128 career record on the Rams' bench. 

LEADING OFF
Since 1987 Suffolk is 7-24 in the first game of the season. Starting in 1995 the Ram have taken a neutral field on day one of the season and picked up five of their opening day victories on neutral turf. Underneath Jaclyn Davis, Suffolk is 2-4 on opening day. 

RAMS PICKED TO TOP GNAC NORTH DIVISION IN PRESEASON POLL

MORE READING: Softball Tops GNAC North Division Presason Poll

SCOUTING THE SPRING GAMES FIELD

Over the four days of Suffolk's Spring Break trip, the Rams will meet fresh competition, taking the diamond for the first time in program history against Arcadia, Finlandia, Rhodes, Montclair State, Plymouth State and William Paterson. 

LYNX LOOK – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Rhodes holds a 13-2 record, including a sweep over SAA conference foe Centre College, and will play three more contests before taking on the Rams on Saturday, March 9. 

Lauren King has played in all 15 games this season, leading the way at the plate, hitting .490, slugging .755, and putting together a .510 on base percentage. She paces the team with 24 hits, including two home runs and seven doubles for 17 RBIs. Kendall Henry has a team best 18 RBIs and has come home 13 times. 

The Lynx feature a solid rotation on the mound, including Lauren King (40.1 IP 0.35 ERA 32 Ks, 6-0) and Bri Maniscalco (52.1 IP 1.20 ERA 32 Ks, 7-2).  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk will meet Rhodes for the first time in program history.  

EYES ON THE GAME

PANTHERS PREVIEW – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Plymouth State lifts the lid on its 2019 season in Florida on March 8 against DeSales and will play three contests before battling the Rams on Saturday, March 9. 

The Panthers enter the season with an influx of new talent and veteran leadership. 

The Panthers are led by senior Ashley Deyo, who had a breakout junior season and earned All-Northeast Region Third Team honors. Deyo batted a team high .370 with 47 hits, 26 RBIs, and a .438 on base percentage in 41 games. 

Junior Caitlyn Miller (158.1 IP 1.64 ERA 106 Ks) anchors Plymouth State on the bump after earning Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year honors after posting a 16-8 record last season. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Saturday's showdown marks the first-ever meeting between Suffolk and Plymouth State.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

NOR'EASTER NOTES – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE - STATS

University of New England will open its 2019 campaign in Florida on Sunday, March 10 against the Rams. 

The Nor'easters enter the year with a potent mix of experience and a strong freshman class. 

Senior catcher Avery Alberghini anchors the infield and is coming off a season where she batted a team high .453 with two triples, and 11 stolen bases, while junior Sarah Lapachelle will hold down third base after seeing action in 28 games last season and producing team-best 19 RBIs on 31 hits.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and the University of New England met for the first-time last season in Florida when the Rams defeated the Nor'Easters, 7-4, to move to 1-0 all-time versus UNE. 

EYES ON THE GAME
 

BULLETS BREAKDOWN – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Through four games this season the Bullets hold a 3-1 record, including a dramatic 5-4 victory over No. 10 Randolph-Macon in extra innings, and will open their Florida series on Sunday, March 10 against the Rams. 

Shelby Baker has played in all four contests for Gettysburg and has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .467 with seven hits and a .549 on base percentage. Emily Colline paces the pack with a team-high nine RBIs to go along with three home runs. 

On the bump the Bullets are led by hurlers Skylar Spinner (11.0 IP 1.27 ERA 2 Ks, 1-1) and Morgan Clauser (15.0 IP 7.00 ERA 11 Ks, 2-0).  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk trails the all-time series with Gettysburg, which began in 1997, 0-2. 
• The Rams will meet the Bullets for the first time since 1998 and first-time under Jaclyn Davis' guidance.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

RED HAWKS REVIEW – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Montclair State will begin its 2019 campaign in Florida on March 11 against Eastern Connecticut State and will play two contests before facing the blue-and-gold on Tuesday, March 12. 

The Red Hawks finished the 2018 season 23-13 and returns several veterans, including three All-Conference selections. Junior Kaylee Powers leads the group after being named to the NFCA Division III Player of the Year Watch List.

Powers is coming off a season where she batted a team-high .475 with 57 hits, 50 runs, and a .750 slugging percentage. Sophomore Amber Powers will hold down shortstop after starting all 36 games last season and leading the team with 36 RBIs.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Montclair State will meet for the first time.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

MAMMOTHS MENTIONABLES – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Amherst pulls back the curtain on its 2019 season in Florida on March 10 against Susquehanna and will play three contests before battling the Rams on Tuesday, March 12. 

The Mammoths return a strong core of players after finishing the 2018 campaign with a 29-8 record and a trip to the NCAA regionals. 

Senior Pitcher Lorena Ukanwa is the most experienced pitcher on the bump for Amherst this season after posting a 17-2 record along with 155 strikeouts, a 1.68 ERA, in 116.1 innings pitched in 2018. 

Sophomore Ronnie Falasco led the Mammoths with eight home runs and a .868 slugging percentage despite having only 76 at-bats last year. She will return to her duties behind the plate in 2019.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Amherst began last season in the Sunshine state where the Rams fell to the Mammoths, 5-3. 

EYES ON THE GAME

PIONEERS PEAK – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
William Patterson lifts the lid on its 2019 campaign in Florida on March 9 against UMass Dartmouth. The Pioneers will play six games prior to taking on Suffolk Wednesday, March 13. 

The Pioneers return several veteran players and welcome nine freshmen after finishing last season 23-15. 

Junior Chirstine Griffith, a mainstay on the infield, is coming off a season where she batted .355 with team bests of four home runs, 39 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, while senior outfielder Eleni Lutas produced 33 runs and 14 walks from the leadoff spot.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk begins a new series with William Paterson.  

EYES ON THE GAME

LIONS LOOK – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Finlandia got in three games in Michigan before heading to Florida. After falling to Marian and Edgewood in their first two contests of the season the Lions pulled out a 6-5 victory against St. Scholastica before losing to UW Superior 7-8 in eight innings. 

The Lions will play seven games prior to taking on the Rams on Wednesday, March 13.

In the first four games Denia Bent hit the ball well, leading the team with a .545 average, with six hits, and one RBI to go along with a 1.091 slugging percentage. Makenna Gorham has a team best three RBIs to pair with a .727 slugging percentage.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk will face Finlandia for the first time.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

CORSAIRS CATCH UP – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
UMass Dartmouth opens its 2019 season in Florida on March 9 against William Patterson. The Corsairs will play seven games before taking on the Rams on Thursday, March 14. 

The Corsairs return a pair of standout veterans to go along with new talent. 

Sophomore Cierra Sheerin leads the infield after batting .313 with 35 hits, including 10 doubles and two home runs, with 21 RBIs. Fellow classmate Kylie Fletcher also showed out, lacing a program record four home runs and 27 RBIs in 2018.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk leveled the playing field versus UMass Dartmouth at 2-2 in the all-time series with a 3-0 shutout of the Corsairs at THE Sprig Games a year ago. 
• The Rams are 1-1 versus UMD in the Jaclyn Davis era.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

KNIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – HOME PAGE – SCHEDULE – STATS
Arcadia pulls the curtain on its 2019 campaign on March 10 against UMass Boston after having four games postponed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Knights will play seven contests down south before battling the blue-and-gold on Thursday, March 14.  

The Knights are coming off a 26-14 season and will return two key starters along with several newcomers. 

Senior Jackie Bilotti leads the infield after being named First Team All-Region last season. She batted a team high .403 with 54 hits, five triples, 19 stolen bases, and 34 RBIs. Sophomore Alex DeStefano followed close behind batting .370 with 40 hits and seven stolen bases in 2018.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk will pick things up against Arcadia again and met the Knights for the first time since 2012 and fourth time overall. 
• The Rams look for their first win versus Arcadia as they trail the series, 0-3. 
• Jaclyn Davis will coach the blue-and-gold against Arcadia for the first time.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

WHAT'S TO COME?
Suffolk has just about a week to prep for its home opener Saturday, March 23 when it welcomes Roger Williams to East Boston Memorial Park for a twinbill.