Rucinski Throws Gem, Softball Tops La Sierra, 4-2

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Cynthia Rucinski relieved a complete-game, eight-strikeout effort in the circle to boost Suffolk softball to a 4-2 win over La Sierra Saturday night at Evans Park. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 4 | La Sierra 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-0) | La Sierra (3-4)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• An overthrow cost Suffolk in the bottom of the second. Third baseman Jolie Quintana over threw first on a routine ground out when Kassandra Gutierrez put the ball in play that allowed Hailey Marquez to coast in from first, after reaching on a base hit to left, to put the Rams in a 1-0 hole. 
• The Rams made up some ground in the top of the fourth with a two-out rally that started thanks to back-to-back walks from Claire Basaldua and Lily Newhall. Kendal Heyman ran for Basluda and she took her spot on the bags just in time for Roma Briad to lace a single to center that brought the tying run in. On that play, the Golden Bears attempted to catch Newhall at third, but an erratic throw down by La Sierra's backstop Victoria Esparza allowed Newhall to strut in and push the blue-and-gold ahead, 2-1. 
• The Golden Eagles looked to fly back in the home half of the inning when Marquez led off with a double to center field. Rucinski managed to retire the side including back-to-back looking punchouts to maintain the one-run margin in Suffolk's favor. 
• Insurance came in the top of the sixth. Once again, the scoring came with two outs. A pair of singles and stolen bases from Briad and Still put runners on second and third before Abby Barnaby reached base on balls to fill the bags. Carignan knocked the ball and play through the right side of the infield. The Golden Eagles chose to go for the tag on Barnaby from first to second, but the umpires disagree and during the confusion two Rams came in to lengthen the blue-and-gold's lead to three, 4-1. 
• La Sierra responded in their next turn at the dish. Rucinski found herself in a base loaded jam, but the junior twirler's composure paid off as she fanned the next two batters swinging to put two outs on the board. Patience paid off for pinch hitter Lola Tanner as she drew a walk to cut the deficit to one, 4-2, as the game turned to the top of the seventh. 
• Rucinski retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to lock up the victory.   

PITCHERES PICTURE

• Rucinski's complete-game featured five hits, two unearned runs, eight strikeouts and two walks. 
• Savannah Henry took the loss as she allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks with a pair of Ks through 4.0 frames. 
• Tori Morton came in for 3.0 innings of relief in which she allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts to her credit.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Briad's bat led the eway with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. 
• Carignan brought in two runs and had one hit, a game lead-off double. 
• Still added one hit, one run and one stolen base. 
• Lanza logged one hit and one stolen base. 
• Heyman and Newhall scored one run each with the latter producing one walk. 
• Basaldua notched a pair of walks. 

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams opened the year 2-0 for the first time since 2019 when it began the year 3-0. 
• Suffolk met La Sierra for the first time. 
• Rucinski had the most strikeouts since she fanned eight in a 1-0 win at Bridgewater State April 17, 2024.
• Carignan has knocked at least one double in both games this season. 
• Carignan, Lanza and Quintana have supplied at least one hit in both games thus far this campaign. 
• Basaldua walked for the first time in her collegiate career.
• Heyman scored her first collegiate run. 
• Brian registered her first collegiate hit and RBI. The freshman has swiped a bag in both games this season. 
• Still picked up her first collegiate hit, run scored and stolen base.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk concludes its West Coast trip tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 15 with a double feature against Claremont Mudd Scripps. Game one is set for a 3:00 first pitch.