Sweeping two back-to-back doubleheaders on the road, Suffolk University softball began its conference slate 4-0, moving up to first place in the Conference of New England.
“It feels great. In years past we’ve struggled to come out on top. It feels great knowing that we worked hard all fall to get to this point and come out with a bang,” said junior centerfielder Catherine Carignan.
Due to postponements, the Rams had to play a doubleheader against the University of New England April 10, followed immediately by another doubleheader against Gordon College the following day. Before playing these back-to-back series, the Rams had not played a game since their March 23 doubleheader against Emerson College.
While Suffolk was considered the home team against UNE, they still had to travel to UNE’s field in Maine to play because Suffolk’s home field has yet to be playable, for practice and for games.
“We’re pretty used to having to go away for games because of our field, but making that two-hour drive when it should’ve been a home game was really tough for our team,” said Carignan. “At the end of the day they have a beautiful field, so going on the bus ride and being all together adds to the excitement too.”
Initially down 3-0 in game one against UNE, the Rams stormed back scoring 11 straight runs to win the game. The run was sparked by a game-tying two run homer by Carignan in the bottom of the third inning.
After Carignan’s home run, the Rams scored eight more runs unanswered to win the game in the sixth inning due to the run-rule.
“We were just so eager to play. When we stepped out at UNE we all just wanted to hit the ball, play our hearts out. We were so ready to be there, and I think that clearly showed in the past two days,” said Carignan.
Shortly after in game two, the Rams continued their hot streak with a barrage of solid hits, scoring five runs in the first inning. They’d go on to win the game 6-4, sweeping a UNE doubleheader for the first time in program history.
The next day, the Rams traveled to Gordon where they picked up a 3-1 win in game one behind a stellar 7-inning performance from pitcher Cynthia Rucinski. In game two against Gordon the Rams came out the gate on fire, scoring eight unanswered runs en route to a 12-2 victory.
Pitching once again was a major factor in the win, with Lily Newhall throwing six innings while only allowing a single hit. Carignan praised the pitching staff for being so prepared despite such a long break from games due to postponements.
“Both of our pitchers had good games. [Newhall] just came in locked in,” said Carignan. “She’s always had that mindset that a game’s coming up and she needs to be prepared. She was just super eager to compete like we all were.”
Sophomore second baseman Julia Mills drove in two runs in the first inning and the hits never stopped for the Rams. Senior catcher Delaney Doidge went 2-for-3 with a homerun in the game, while Mills went 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 runs batted in.
The Rams have a few important doubleheaders coming up against CNE rivals, first playing Curry College at a neutral site April 16 before a showdown against Roger Williams University April 18.
“It’s not going to be easy. We have the hardest part of our conference left. Maintaining a high energy and a high intensity is what’s going to get us through these next few games up until conference playoffs,” said Carignan. “Being able to string hits together is a huge thing for a team. You can get as many hits, but if they’re not together scoring runs it doesn’t matter. Being able to carry on passing the bat and keeping energy up is what’s going to get us through these games and get us the wins.”
