Baseball Clashes with Johnson & Wales Saturday

APRIL 14 | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM EAST BOSTON MEMORIAL PARK EAST BOSTON, MASS. GAME 1: LIVE STATS GAME 2: LIVE STATS
Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 35-17 Last Meeting - May 7, 2017, W, 1-0 Last Suffolk Win - Same Streak - W3 Eyes on the Game

BOSTON – The Suffolk baseball team returns to conference competition Saturday, April 14 as it welcomes Johnson & Wales to East Boston Memorial Park. The GNAC doubleheader it set to begin at 1 p.m. 

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LAST TIME OUT
Tyler Zell held Mass. Maritime to one run over nine innings to earn his first collegiate victory in Suffolk baseball's 3-1 decision over the Buccaneers Thursday afternoon at Clean Harbors Stadium. 

MORE READING:  Zell Earns First Collegiate Win on the Mound in 3-1 Win at Mass. Maritime

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk improved to 9-14 overall Thursday night with its 3-1 win at Mass. Maritime and brings an unbeaten 3-0 league ledger into Saturday's showdown.  

Senior outfielders Brady Chant and Seth Coiley drive the Rams' offense. Chant owns team-best numbers in batting average (.341), hits (30, RBI (12) and runs scored (18) to go along with nine stolen bases. Coiley, meanwhile, has contributed 24 hits and nine RBI off a .316 average at the plate and scored 10 runs. 

The Rams have a core starting rotation of five different arms led by Mark Fusco, who owns a 2.28 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 27.2 innings of work. Kevin Sinatra (31.0 IP, 3.19 ERA, 13 Ks), Charles Batchelder (37.2 IP, 4.06 ERA, 18 Ks), Ryan Pordes (27.2 IP, 17 K) and Tyler Zell (24.1 IP, 2.59 ERA, 16 K) are also starting arms for Suffolk. 

WILDCAT WAYS
Johnson & Wales looks to snap a two-game skid that put the Wildcats at 15-8 overall. In conference contests, JWU is undefeated, 4-0, with series wins over Anna Maria and Albertus Magnus.  

Edison Mercado leads the way at the plate with a .390 average, 32 hits, 21 RBI and 13 runs scored. Raimiel Rodriguez, who hits .351 has provided 28 hits, 16 RBI and 16 runs, while Joe Maracic has added 27 hits, nine RBI and 13 runs.  

Keith Grant and James Smiegocki are the top two arms for the Wildcats. Grant clocks in with a 3.14 ERA through 48.2 innings featuring 38 strikeouts. Smiegocki sports an ERA of 4.97 in 38.0 frames with 43 Ks. 

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk had won three consecutive contests over Johnson & Wales, including last season's GNAC Championship contest to hold a 35-17 all-time series lead over the Wildcats. 

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 taking Sunday off, the Rams will play three straight days beginning on Patriots Day, Monday, April 16 at Babson. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.