After over a year without having a field to call “home,” Suffolk University softball defended their new home field with style, sweeping a pivotal conference doubleheader against Gordon College at Ardagna Field in Revere, Massachusetts.
Suffolk took both games by a score of 5-1, improving to 14-11 on the season.
“This is our first time on our new home field, so it was great to take two wins on it,” said senior captain Catherine Carignan.
Though they’re happy to have a home field following flooding at East Boston Memorial Park, which made the field unplayable, head coach Megan Cook noted how her team tries not to put much stock into whether they play at home or away.
“I give credit to them for being happy-go-lucky kids, happy to be with each other and happy to compete. We try not to read too much into where we’re playing, whether it’s in Eastie or Revere, or even if it’s an away game. We just want to show up with the same mindset every day,” said Cook.
The first game of their doubleheader started off close, with both teams struggling to score a single run.
The Rams got on the board after a bunt by sophomore Abby Barnaby sent freshman Dana Still flying from first base all the way to home. Trying to pick her off at third base, Gordon committed an error, bringing her home and getting the Rams their first run of the game.
“Her bunt was amazing,” said Still. “I just got a good read off of it and they made the error so it was a great opportunity to go all the way home.”
Still struck again soon after, with a sacrifice fly by freshman Kendal Heyman driving her in to put Suffolk up 2-0.
Cook mentioned that the aggressive baserunning personified by Still, who scored four runs on the day, is a big part of their overall gameplan as a team.
“We’re just trying to put pressure on their defense,” said Cook. “We’re trying to put ourselves in position to score more runs, being in high risk, high reward situations. You gotta play it out and see what happens.”
Gordon brought the game within one score in the top of the sixth, but a quick response by the Rams dashed any thought of a Gordon comeback.
Barnaby came through yet again, knocking a two-run double, followed by scoring a run herself soon after to put the Rams up 5-1. This gave Lily Newhall the opportunity to cap off her complete game on the mound with a win, striking out four and only allowing three hits all game.
Shortly after claiming victory in the first game of their doubleheader, junior pitcher Cynthia Rucinski got Suffolk off to a hot start in game two, striking out the first two Gordon hitters then capping the first off with a fly out.
Rucinski finished her 13th start of the season with nine total strikeouts, pitching a complete game and taking the win.
“It was a good game. I was happy to contribute to the win especially since I’m not in the lineup. I was happy to do my part on the field,” said Rucinski.
Following a dominant first inning by Rucinski, the offense immediately made it count as Newhall drove in graduate student Jolie Quintana to give Suffolk an early lead.
In the third inning, Carignan made the play of the day, launching a deep solo shot to center field, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead.
Carignan’s heroics didn’t end there, as a one-run double to drive in Ava Lanza gave Suffolk room to breathe with a 3-1 lead.
After the game, Carignan levied praise onto the rest of the team, who combined for nine hits in game two.
“We all pulled it together, it was a team win. Everyone had their time to shine on the field today,” said Carignan. “I thought we really came together and put hits together as a team.”
Up 3-1 in the sixth, an RBI-single by freshman Roma Braid followed by senior Charis Fenter stealing home gave Rucinski the opportunity to finish the sweep.
Suffolk will be back at home Saturday, April 18 in a crucial conference doubleheader against the University of Hartford.
