Baseball Preps for Non-Conference Clashes at Wheaton, Mass. Maritime

APRIL 11 | 4:00 PM  SIDELL STADIUM   NORWOOD, CONN. LIVE STATS | VIDEO
Series Record - Suffolk Trails, 9-13-2 Last Meeting - March 25, 2016, W, 8-5 Last Suffolk Win - Same Streak - W1 Eyes on the Game

APRIL 12 | 4:00 PM HENDY FIELD BUZZARDS BAY, MASS. LIVE STATS | VIDEO
Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 11-6 Last Meeting - April 14, 2016, W, 12-4 Last Suffolk Win - Same Streak - W2 Eyes on the Game

BOSTON – The Suffolk baseball team steps away from GNAC action for midweek matches at Wheaton and Mass. Maritime. The Rams will first make the trip to the Lyons Wednesday, April 11, before visiting the Buccaneers Thursday, April 12. Both non-conference contests will begin at 4 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT
With the score locked at 1-all, Suffolk baseball put together a two-run fifth frame and held onto the lead to stop Lasell, 3-1, in the nightcap and secure the sweep of the GNAC doubleheader at East Boston Memorial Park Sunday.

MORE READING:  Baseball Rallies in Fifth to Layover Lasell, 3-1, in Game 2

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has rattled off four consecutive wins to improve to 8-13 on the season. 

Ben Isaak has taken advantage of his new starting role with the freshman third baseman hitting a team-high .389 with seven hits including four doubles to bring in five runs and score four himself. Senior Brady Chant continues to be the main present at the plate for the Rams though. The centerfield, who hits .362, has team-high numbers in nearly every category including hits (29), RBI (12) and runs (16), to go along with six stolen bases. Seth Coiley also bats over .300, coming into the week with a .319 average with 22 hits, seven RBI and 10 runs scored. 

On the hill, Suffolk's staff has a combined ERA of 4.75 with the starting rotation holding a 3.81 ERA. Charles Batchelder leads the way with the junior RHP bring in a 2.25 ERA through five starts and 32.0 innings with 17 strikeouts. Mark Fusco sits in a close second as the senior has sat down the most batters, 22, in 27.2 innings of work and boasts a 2.28 ERA. Kevin Sinatra (31.0 IP, 3.19 ERA, 13 K) and Ryan Pordes (27.2 IP, 17 K) complete the core arms for the Rams.

LYONS LOOK
Over the weekend Wheaton fell in every outing during a three-game series with Babson to move to 10-12 overall. Before hosting the Rams Wednesday, the Lyons will stop by WPI Tuesday afternoon. 

As a team, Wheaton has recorded 212 hits through 22 outings with six different batters tallying over 20 hits and Nick Raposo notching a squad-best 33. The sophomore catcher owns a slash line of .393/.454/.595 and has brought in a team-high 22 runs, while scoring 26, the most on the squad as well. Bryant Salkind and Chris Ruocco have each produced 27 hits. Salkind, who bats .303, has 20 RBI and 14 runs scored, while Ruocco, who hits .325, owns 16 RBI and 23 runs scored. 

Wheaton also impresses on the hill as the staff as sat down 165 batters with its top three arms all producing over 20 Ks apiece. Gavin Reily is the most lethal as the rookie RHP brings in a 0.94 ERA with 20 punchouts through 28.2 innings and four starts. Senior Brady Furdon (35.1 IP, 22 K, 4.08 ERA) and Dan Southerland (33.1 IP, 32 K, 3.24 ERA) have shown their experience on the mound this season.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Suffolk, Wheaton series began in 1998. Since the first meeting, Suffolk has put together a 9-13-2 all-time record versus the Lyons. The Rams took the last meeting between the non-conference foes, 8-5, March 25, 2016 and are unbeaten against Wheaton under Anthony Del Prete's guidance.

EYES ON THE GAME

BUCANEERS BREAKDOWN
Mass. Maritime rides a five-game win streak into the week that put the Buccaneers at 11-7 on the season. The streak will be tested Tuesday night at Fisher, before entertain Suffolk Thursday. 

Four different bats have notched double-digit hits the quartet of hitters batting .360 or better. Connor Kennedy paces the pack with a .360 average good for 18 hits, seven RBI and 13 runs scored. Billy Keane (.362, 4 RBI, 12 R), Casey Furnas (.415, 7 RBI, 9 R) and Logan Sullo (.436, 19 RBI, 13 R) have each contributed 17 hits apiece to the Buccaneers offense, which averages 5.2 runs per game. 

Mass. Maritime rotates three hurlers consistently. Mason Ashburn has seen the most action this season with 26.2 innings of action under the freshman's belt. Over that time, he has gained a 3-1 record with a team-high 29 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.71. John Teehan, meanwhile, brings in the best ERA at 2.84 with 28 Ks in 25.1 innings and four starters. Matt Smith rounds out the trio with an ERA of 3.80 and 26 punchouts in 21.1 innings.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk leads the all-time series with Mass. Maritime, 11-6. In the team's last meeting, April 14, 2016, the Rams defeated the Buccaneers, 11-6. The blue-and-gold are unbeaten versus Mass. Maritime in the Anthony Del Prete era.

EYES ON THE GAME

MR. 200 AND COUNTING
Brady Chant reached a feat that only four other Rams have done before him in the 71-year history of Suffolk baseball, record 200 hits. The senior centerfielder led off game one versus Lasell with a single to accomplish the feat. 

With 203 career hits to his credit, the Warwick, Rhode Island native is chasing the Rams' all-time hit record of 238 set by Jake Cintolo in 2014. 

1. 238 – Jake Cintolo – 2011-14
2. 223 – Mike Maguire – 2002-05
3. 205 - Jared Leach – 1998-01
4. 203 – Brady Chant – 2015-Present
5. 201 – Devan Jones – 2011-14 

COMING UP
After the non-conference clashes, Suffolk turns its attention back to GNAC action. The Rams will host Johnson & Wales in a twinbill at East Boston Memorial Park Saturday, April 14 before heading to Anna Maria Sunday, April 14 for a double feature.