Have Mercy: Softball Opens CNE Play With 11-6, Six-Inning Win at UNE

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Suffolk softball put an exclamation point on its 2025 Conference of New England (CNE) debut as it trailed early but responded with 11 unanswered to take down the University of New England, 11-6, in six innings Thursday afternoon at Nor'Easter Diamond.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 11 | University of New England 6
RECORDS: Suffolk (7-10, 1-0 CNE) | University of New England (6-15, 0-5 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Singles resulted in two runs for the Nor'Easters in the first frame. UNE expanded the edge to three in the top of the second with a two-out rally. H Lappin barreled a triple to right center and came in behind H Irons' single to center to put the blue-and-gold in a 3-0 hole.  

In the bottom of the second, an error on lead-off Lily Gustafson's at bat allowed the Rams' shortstop to reach safely. Gustafson managed to steal second and advanced to third on Lily Newhall loud out to right. Avery Carvalho's sac fly to right plated Gustafson to put the Rams on the board and slice the margin to two.  

Suffolk leveled the playing field at 3-all in its next turn at the plate in the bottom of the third when Catherine Carignan rocked the ball out of the park and brought Diana Rucinski, who walked, with her to tie the game.  

The Rams offense continued to roll in the bottom of the fourth as they jumped in front 7-3. Suffolk's scoring came behind four hits, three of which were doubles by Newhall, Ella Turnbull and Carignan.  

After a scoreless fifth, the blue-and-gold's offense rolled a four-run sixth to claim the run-rule victory. Diana Rucinski led off with a single to right moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and scored thanks to Carignan's single to right center. Julia Mills knocked a one-out base hit to center to set-up Jolie Quintana's two-run double down the left field line. Newhall's second double of the day, this time to center, plated Quintana and sealed the victory for Suffolk.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Newhall secured the win behind a three-run, eight-hit, five-strikeout performance over 6.0 innings. 
• Mo Kinsella took the loss as she gave up seven runs, six earned, on four hits and four walks with one K in 3.0 innings of work. 
• Liv Arvidson came out of the pen for UNE and put together a four-run, seven-hit, three-punchout performance in 2.2 innings.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Carignan had a day at the dish with a 3-for-4 effort that was a triple shy of the cycle. She brought in four runs and scored two herself. 
• Newhall notched at two hits, both doubles, one RBI and one run. 
• Gustafson's lone hit of the afternoon was a triple. The senior pitched in one run and on stolen base. 
• Quitnana had two RBI on one hit, a double, to go along with one run and one walk. 
• Diana Rucinski added three runs, two hits, one RBI and one walk. 
• Turnbull tallied one hit, a double, and one RBI. 
• Mills pitched in one hit, one RBI and one run. 
• Carvalho contributed one run, one RBI, one walk and one sac fly. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk is 3-1 in CNE debuts. 
• The Rams have won their CNE opener for back-to-back seasons. 
• Suffolk lifted the lid on its CNE calendar on the road for the second straight season.
• Suffolk leveled the series with UNE at 7-7. 
• The Rams won back-to-back against the Nor'Easters. 
• Suffolk is 4-2 on the road against UNE. 
• IN CNE contests, the blue-and-gold is 4-6 versus the UNE. 
• It is the third-ever mercy-rule win in the Suffolk, UNE series, first-ever time the Rams run-ruled the Nor'easters.
• It is the first run-rule game between Suffolk and UNE since May 10, 2023 in the CNE Tournament.  
• Carignan hit her second homer of the season.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk looks to sweep UNE in the nightcap this afternoon.