Softball’s Seventh-Inning Rally Falls Short at Hartford in Game One, 3-2

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Down three in the seventh, Suffolk softball attempted a comeback, but came up one run short as Hartford held on for the 3-2 Conference of New England win in game one of a double feature Tuesday afternoon.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | Hartford 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (12-14, 6-4 CNE) | Hartford (16-13-1, 7-5-1 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Alexis Sealey led off the top of the third with a stand-up double to center for the Hawks and snuck over to third on a wild pitch. One out later, Sealey scored the game-opening run on a productive ground out to second by Gia Miccio. The Hawks looked to add to their advantage as Olivia Wolk tripled to right center. Megan Cook made a visit to the circle to help her team gain some composure and Catherine Carignan caught Ella Zobel's long out to center to send the game into the fourth.   

A couple more Hawks' doubles in the home half of the fourth resulted in two more runs for the host that extended the margin to 3-0. 

The Rams converted a triple play in the bottom of the sixth to keep the distance at three.  

Ella Turnbull sliced a single through the left side to get the top of the seventh underway and Julia Mills' double put runners on second and third. After one out, Jolie Quintana kept the rally going with a base hit to left to put all the ducks in the pond. Hartford brought its starting twirler Sealey back in to take over for reliever Grace Hopkins. 

Down three with the winning run at the plate, Giavanna Bellino came in to hit for Suffolk. The freshman placed a single right inside far territory on the first base line, which scored Mills. Quintana got stuck in a pickle between second and third on the play, which allowed Lily Newhall, who reached on a fielder's choice, to come in and make it a one-run game. 

The inning kept going thanks to Hawks error when Diana Rucinski put the ball in play, that put Rams on first and second. Carignan popped up to third, however, and the Rams' comeback fell just shy.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Cynthia Rucinski took the loss as she gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings. 
• Turnbull shoved 2.0 innings of scoreless relief with one hit and two walks allowed to go along with one K. 
• Sealey secured the decision behind 6.2 innings of scoreless work. She let up three hits and sat down one batter. 
• Hopkins compiled a two-run, three-hit effort in 0.1 inning of relief.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Turnbull went 2-for-3. 
• Mills had one hit, a double, and one run. 
• Carignan's lone hit was good for two bags. 
• Newhall scored one run. 
• Bellino notched one hit and one RBI. 
• Quintana added one hit.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk and Hartford wrap up the double header this afternoon.