MASCAC Midweek Matchups on Tap for Baseball

BOSTON – The Suffolk baseball team will use back-to-back MASCAC matchups to prep for GNAC action this weekend as the Rams head to Salem State and Bridgewater State for midweek contests. Suffolk visits the Vikings Wednesday, March 29 for a 3:30 p.m. start, before traveling to the Bears Thursday, March 30 for a 3 p.m. first pitch.

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RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk threw its first pitch in New England at UMass Boston Saturday where the Rams fell victim to a walk-off double, 6-5, to slip to 4-6 on the young season. 

Seth Coiley's bat is leading the way for the Rams with the junior outfielder producing a .458 average and a .625 slugging percentage with 11 hits, including four doubles, in 24 plate appearances, to bring in four runs and score three himself. Luke Ronchi, who is second on the team with a .349 average, paces the pack in RBI and runs scored with nine, respectively, on 15 hits. Brady Chant has connected for the team-lead in hits (16) to bring in seven runs and the junior centerfielder has come home five times. 

On the hill, Ryan Pordes brings in the lowest ERA amongst the Rams' starters at 2.25 with the junior righthie winning the lone game he started, a complete-game, one-run, six-hit effort. Pordes has let up three runs on 12 hits and owns eight strikeouts on the season. Chuck Gibson has also been a consistent arm for Suffolk with the senior boasting a 2.30 ERA with a 1-0 mark. In 15.2 innings pitched the right-handed hurler has given up seven runs, four earned, off 17 hits and sat down seven batters. 

VIKINGS VIEW
Salem State carries and 8-6 record into Wednesday's meeting after being rained out versus Brandeis Saturday. The last time the Vikings took the diamond they split a doubleheader versus Bates, winning game one, 4-1, and dropping the nightcap, 3-0. 

Brendan Greene has started all 14 games for Salem and leads the way at the plate for the Vikings with a .404 average with team-high numbers in hits (19). The sophomore second baseman, who slugs .468, has registered 12 RBI and 10 runs. Dan Connors is the top Viking in runs scored with 16. The senior third baseman hits .386, producing 17 hits with eight RBI to his credit. Jose Cedano leads the way in RBI for Salem with 15 as the junior right fielder slugs .600, hits .380 and matches Greene's team-leading hits with 19 of his own. 

Starter Stephen Keskindis has seen the most action for the Vikings on the bump with 19.0 innings pitched for a 5.21 ERA, allowing 17 runs, 11 earned off 21 hits and 18 strikeouts. Relief arm Tim Woods brings in the best ERA at 3.00 in 9.0 innings pitched, letting up three runs on seven hits and matching Keskindis' Ks with 18. 

EYES ON THE GAME

BEARS BREAKDOWN
Bridgewater State, who was scheduled to meet the Rams last week, but the game was postponed due to weather, rides a three-game win streak into Thursday's tilt that put the Bears at 5-6 on the year. 

The Bears top three bats are everyday starters with Ryan Feeney's .447 average leading the way. The senior shortstop has brought in the most runs for Bridgewater, 12, thanks to 17 hits, four for extra bases, and tallied seven runs. Ryan Kelleher and Matt Levasseur average .436 and .409, respectively, each bringing in nine runs. Kelleher has scored a team-high 15 runs with Levasseur coming home 13 times. 

Justin Jacobsen brings a 1.29 ERA into the meeting in 7.0 innings pitched and one start. He has given up two runs, one earned, on eight hits with three punchouts. Samuel Devine has seen the most action on the bump for the Bears with 12.2 innings of work the southpaw owns a 4.97 ERA. Thomas Protentis, who boasts a 4.76 ERA, owns the most strikeouts for Bridgewater with 11. 

EYES ON THE GAME

COMING UP
Suffolk will open its home and GNAC slate Saturday, April 1 when Albertus Magnus makes the trip to East Boston Memorial Park. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.