Saturday Showdown Pits Softball Versus Wentworth in CCC Debut

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 // 12 PM & 2 PM  EAST BOSTON MEMORIAL PARK // BOSTON, MASS. GAME 1 // LIVE STATS // VIDEO GAME 2 // LIVE STATS // VIDEO
EYES ON THE GAME // PROGRAM SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK LEADS, 11-3 LAST MEETING // APRIL 3, 2003, W, 10-2 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // SAME STREAK // W1

BOSTON – Suffolk softball is set to play its inaugural Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) contests this weekend when the Rams welcome Wentworth to East Boston Memorial Park Saturday, March 27. The double feature is scheduled for a 12 p.m., game one first pitch.

SPECTATOR SECTION
With a strict no spectator policy set for the 2020-21 athletic season, here's how fans can follow Suffolk game-day action.

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

For an insider look at Suffolk softball, Ram Nation can subscribe to @suffolksoftball on Instagram and Twitter.

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk softball surged late, scoring two runs in the sixth, and putting up six runs in the seventh, to come back and take down Emmanuel, 8-3, in game two of a non-conference double feature Thursday night at Roberto Clemente Field.

MORE READING: Seventh Stanza Sends Softball Past Emmanuel, 8-3, in Nightcap

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has traded wins and losses in its last two twinbills to head into the Saturday 2-6 overall. 

Ally Cifaratta and Ashley Zulla are powering the Rams' offense with 11 hits apiece. Zulla leads the way in RBI with eight to go along with five runs, while Cifaratta has six RBI and runs scored, respectively. Caitlin Murphy is on the verge of double digit hits with nine to her credit. She leads the team in runs scored (9) and stolen bases (6). 

Constance Phelan and Kennedy Reyes are Suffolk's one-two punch in the circle. Pheln holds a staff-best 2.90 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. Reyes, meanwhile, has sat down 24 hitters and holds a 3.45 ERA.

LEOPARDS LOOK
Wentworth lifted the lid on 2021 with a Tuesday twinbill at Lasell. The Leopards were swept by the Lasers and were outscored, 13-5.

Despite the setbacks, WIT had scattered 20 hitters in its first pair of outings on the year. Six different batters have multiple hits to their credit paced by Annabelle Hebard's four, while Briana Beverly, Brionna Myers and Katilin Pettenger have each produced three knocks. The Leopards four RBI are from all different players, as well as their five runs scored. 

Wentworth has used three different arms in the circle. Kayla Demedeiros appears to be the Leopards ace with 0.00 ERA through 4.1 innings with a pair of Ks.  Erin Hancock brings in a 3.15 ERA with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Aurora Wilks threw 1.1 frames in the season opener.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Wentworth series began in 1988.
• The Rams lead the all-time series, 11-3.
• Suffolk and Wentworth will meet for the first time since April 3, 2003 when the Rams defeated the Leopards, 10-2.
• The Rams will face the Leopards for the first time under Jaclyn Davis' guidance.
• As the home team, Suffolk is 7-2 against Wentworth.
• When playing as the away team, the Rams are 4-1 versus the Leopards.

EYES ON THE GAME

PRESEASON POSITIONS
On the eve of a new era of Suffolk softball, the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) unveiled the 2021 CCC Coaches' Poll with the Rams picked second in POD B.  

MORE READING: Softball Picked Second in Pod B in CCC Coaches' Poll

SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
Suffolk is scheduled to take on Gordon in a midweek doubleheader Wednesday, March 31 in Wenham, Massachusetts. The originally scheduled non-conference clashes have changed back to league action after the cancellation of this weekend's home-and-home series. First pitch next week is set for 2:30 p.m.