BEVERLY, Mass. – In a classic pitcher's duel, Suffolk softball was unable to figure out Hawks' twirler Rachel Germano and the fifth-seeded Rams fell to fourth seed Roger Williams in the first round contest of the Conference of New England Tournament Wednesday afternoon at Endicott's Softball Complex.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0 | Roger Williams 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (16-21) | Roger Williams (23-16) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Ashley Klingberg was the first base runner of the day as the Hawks' catcher slugged a lead-off double to left center in the bottom of the first. Suffolk's defense held her there, however, as Cynthia Rucinski retired the next three batters to keep zeroes on the scoreboard.  

RWU managed to break through in its next turn at the plate. A pair of base hits and a walked filled the bags before Vianna Chamberlin worked a walk to bring the first run of the day and give the Hawks a 1-0 edge.   

Suffolk saw its first base runner of the day in the top of the fifth behind an error by RWU's third baseman Christian DeNovellis on a routine pop up. Julia Mills managed to get into scoring position as she swiped second during Ava Brandow's at bat, but was stranded there to keep the Rams in a one-run hole.  

The Rams managed to hold the Hawks' offense still over the next two innings to keep the gap at one.  

Patience paid off for the blue-and-gold in the top of the seventh as Lily Gustafson and Mills reached behind base on balls. Lily Newhall had the change to bring in the tying run as she made contact on with a 2-2 count. The Hawks' left fielder Kayleigh O'Connor managed to make the grab to seal the setback fate.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Cynthia Rucinski compiled a one-run, five-hit, two-walk, four-strikeout effort in 6.0 innings. 
• Germano put together a two-walk, five-strikeout, complete-game no-hitter.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Gustafson and Mills recorded one walk apiece. 
• Mills stole one base.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk is in the midst of its fourth straight trip to the CNE Tournament, 24th overall postseason appearance. 
• The Rams competed as the CNE's Tournament fifth seed for the first time. 
• Suffolk played as the fifth seed in a league tournament for the second time in program history, first since 2014. 
• The Rams are 2-3 as the fifth seed in a league's postseason. 
• The Rams are now 1-7 in the CNE postseason. 
• Suffolk is 0-4 when playing at Endicott's Softball Complex in the CNE postseason. 
• The Rams moved to 1-5 in the Megan Cook era in the CNE Tournament. 
• Today's contest was the third shutout in the CNE Tournament for Suffolk. 
• The Rams are now 1-2 when a team is kept off the scoreboard in the CNE postseason. 
• Suffolk and Roger Williams competed in the CNE postseason in a non-elimination contest for the first time. 
• The Rams and Hawks met in the CNE Tournament for the third time. 
• All three postseason battles between Suffolk and RWU have taken place at Endicott's Softball Complex. 
• Suffolk is now 9-11 all-time against Roger Williams. 
• Today's contest is the fourth shutout in the Suffolk, Roger Williams series. 
• Suffolk is 1-3 versus RWU when a team is kept off the scoreboard. 
• Suffolk now sports a 1-5 record versus RWU in the Megan Cook era. 
• Suffolk is 0-3 versus RWU in the conference postseason.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk looks to stay alive in the CNE Tourney tomorrow, Thursday, May 8.