WORCESTER, Mass. – Suffolk softball's offense did not get going until the fifth and the ground Worcester State built proved too much to make up as the Rams fell to the Lancers, 8-3, in game one of a non-conference twinbill Tuesday at Rahl Raymond Diamond.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3 | Worcester State 8
RECORDS: Suffolk (15-17) | Worcester State (20-12)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk stranded two runners in the top of the first before the Lancers leapt on the board in the home half of the inning with three runs.
That gap doubled to 6-0 in the bottom of the second and extended to eight in the fourth.
In the fifth with the mercy-rule looming, Avery Carvalho wore a pitch and one out later Abby Barnaby doubled to put a pair of runners in prime scoring position. Catherine Carignan kept the game going as she cleared the bags with a double to left center to trim the margin to down to six.
Suffolk's comeback attempt carried into the seventh. With two outs and a runner on first, Giavanna Bellino singled to right center to move Carignan to third. An error by WSU's short stop Emma Lanpher let Carignan to come in and pull the blue-and-gold within five. Julia Mills went down swinging to keep things at 8-5 at the final.
PITCHERS PICTURE
- Ashlyn Conley took the loss as she gave up six runs, three earned, on six hits and two walks through 2.0 innings.
- Julia Newcomb let up two runs on five hits and one walk in 4.0 frame of relief.
- Taylor Coonan earned the decision behind a three-run, two-earned, eight-hit, two-walk, four-strikeout, complete-game performance.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Carignan contributed two runs on one hit, a double, and one run scored.
- Bellino and Brandow pitched in identical 2-for-4 efforts.
- Barnaby recorded one hit, a double, and one run.
- Delaney Doidge added one hit and one walk.
- Carvalho chipped in one run.
- Jolia Quintana tallied one hit.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk competed at Worcester State for the first time.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk closes the double feature with Worcester State tonight.