Win and Advance: Softball Shutouts UNE in CCC Play-In, 2-0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Lily Newhall commanded the circle and the sixth-seeded Suffolk softball took advantage of patience at the plate to eliminate seventh seed the University of New England from the 2024 CCC Tournament in shutout fashion, 2-0, Tuesday morning at Golden Bears Softball Park on the campus of Western New England. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | University of New England 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (19-22) | University of New England (12-19) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening two innings were a case of déjà vu for Suffolk's offensive output as Catherine Carignan and Lily Gustafson both laced one-out doubles in the first and second innings, respectively, and moved over to third on productive ground outs to the left side of the infield. The Rams could not capitalize on either runner at third, however, as the Nor'Easters secured the final out of each frame to keep zeros on the scoreboard.  

Both sides continued to strand base runners as things remained scoreless through 5.5 innings.  

In the bottom of the sixth, Suffolk's capitalized on a bases loaded walk to get on the board. Becky Zellin led off the inning with a double to right center. Delaney Doidge worked a walk to force UNE to make a pitching change as Mo Kinsella came in to twirl for Cat Higgins. The reliever hit Julia Mills and walked Lily Gustafson with the bases loaded to allow the Rams to sneak in front, 1-0. Insurance came off Diana Rucinski's bat as the junior's one-run base hit padded the margin to 2-0.  

Newhall got two quick outs in the top of the seventh with a backwards K and a routine 43 ground out. UNE musted back-to-back base hits to bring the winning run up to the plate, but Newhall helped herself as she successfully field a ground out back to the circle to clinch the postseason victory. 

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Newhall finished the day with a seven-hit, one-walk, two-strikeout, complete-game game shutout.
• Higgins took the loss for the Nor'Easters after giving up two runs on five hits and two walks with three punchouts in 5.0 innings of work. 
• Kinsella logged 1.0 inning of scoreless relief for UNE. She let up one hit and one walk with a pair of strikeouts to her credit.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Suffolk's six hits were scattered across six bats: Jolie Quintana, Carignan, Zellin, Mills, Gustafson and Rucinski. 
• Carignan's, Zellin's and Gustafson's hits were doubles. 
• Gustafson brought in one run on a bases loaded walk. 
• Rucinski picked up one RBI on her hit, a single. 
• Pinch runners Ashley Hubner and Julie Newcomb scored the runs for the Rams. 
• Gustafson and Rucinski each put down sacs. 
• Carignan swiped one base.  

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams won their first CCC Tournament game in program history. 
• Suffolk made its third-ever and third in as many years, appearance in the CCC Tournament.
• The Rams competed as the CCC Tournament's sixth seed for the first time. 
• Suffolk competed in the CCC Play-In Game for the first time. 
• The postseason victory is Suffolk's first since besting Emmanuel, 4-3, in eight innings in the GNAC Semifinals, May 6, 2018. 
• The Rmas are now 1-2 when playing at Golden Bears Softball Park in the CCC Tournament. 
• Suffolk is the sixth seed in the conference tournament for the second time in program history, first since 2008 when it played as the sixth seed in the GNAC Tournament. 
• The Rams are now 1-1 when playing in a league tournament as the sixth seed. 
• Suffolk moved to 6-7 all-time against the University of New England. 
• In the CCC postseason, the blue-and-gold defeated UNE for the first time, to move to 1-1 all-time in postseason action against the Nor'Easters.
• The Rams are now 3-1 in neutral outings against the Nor'Easters.
• Five games between Suffolk and UNE have been decided via shutout. 
• It is the first time in program history the Rams kept the Nor'Easters off the scoreboard.
• Suffolk moved to 2-1 versus UNE in the Megan Cook era. 
• The shutout is the third of the season for Suffolk.
• Newhall pitched her sixth complete game of the season.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk clinched its spot in the double-elimination bracket of the 2024 CCC Softball Tournament. The Rams will now take on third seed Nichols in approximately 30 minutes.