BABSON PARK, Mass. – Suffolk softball fell behind in the first inning and could not complete the comeback as Curry held off the Rams in game one, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon in Conference of New England (CNE) action at Alumni Field on the campus of Babson College.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 1 | Curry 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-12, 4-2 CNE) | Curry (12-13, 5-6 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
A pair of extra base hits helped Curry take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Reene Gonneville doubled to right field before Natalia O'Kleasky slugged a no doubter over the left field fence to give the Colonels a two-run cushion.  

Suffolk made up some ground in the bottom of the third. Singles by Lily Gustafson and Ella Turnbull were sandwiched around two arounds. Julia Mills muscled a base hit to center to bring Gustafson around and slice the gap in half. 

The blue-and-gold had the opportunity to tie things up and then some as the bases filled up after Lily Newhall worked a walk. Ava Brandow hit a pop up in foul territory though that Curry's third baseman Morgan Barmash secured to keep the Rams in a one-run hole.  

Two innings later Suffolk had another chance to level the playing field as Jolia Quintana knocked a one-out, stand-up double down the left field line. Once again, the tying run was kept on the bags for the Rams as the next two blue-and-gold hitters went down in order.  

A two-out rally by the Rams in the bottom of the sixth fell short as well to keep it a 2-1 game in the Colonels' favor. Avery Carvalho singled to right and Diana Rucinski slugged a hard hit ball to center right at Gonneville. Curry's outfielder bobbled the ball and dropped it, which put runners in the corners for Suffolk. Catherine Carignan tested in Gonneville again, but this time she made the grab to hold the score still as it went to the top of the seventh. 

Newhall kept the one-run gap and the hopes of a comeback intact. The twirler sat down the first two batters swinging and was backed up by Carignan in center for the final out of the frame.  

Jillan Rogers brought the heat for Curry and retired the side to seal the setback for Suffolk.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Newhall shoved a two-run, seven-hit, four-walk, six-strikeout, complete-game. 
• Rogers registered a one-run, eight-hit, one-walk, four-punchout, win for Curry.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Mills provided a 2-for-3 effort with one RBI. 
• Gustafson went 2-for-4 and scored Suffolk's lone run. 
• Quintana had one hit, a double. 
• Turnbull, Brandow and Carvalho chipped in one hit each. 
• Newhall drew Suffolk's lone walk.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk aims to rebound in the nightcap against the Colonels.