Baseball Battles at UMass Boston Friday

SUFFOLK at UMass Boston
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Tuesday, April 5 3:00 PM J. Tec White Field Wenham, Mass. LittleEast.Tv BeaconsAthletics.com 24-15 March 2, 2020, L, 8-7 (10) March 24, 2018, 3-1 L2

BOSTON – Suffolk baseball heads across town for a city clash with UMass Boston Friday, April 8. The Rams and Beacons are in store for a twinbill at Monan Park with a 3 p.m., game one first pitch. 

SOCIAL SAYINGS
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LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk baseball bounced back into the win column with an impressive offensive output as the Rams bats struck for 18 hits en route to a 16-2 win over Gordon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at J. Tec White Field Tuesday afternoon. 

MORE READING: Baseball Snaps Skid, Runs Past Gordon, 16-2

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk found its way back into the win column Tuesday night with an offensive onslaught of Gordon, 16-2, to move to 12-9 on the season.  

The Rams are hitting .316 as a team paced by everyday hitter Harry Painter, who is leading the way in nearly offensive category behind a slash line of .425/.468/.877. The freshman has 31 hits, 15 of which are for extra bases including eight dingers, for 25 RBI, and 21 runs scored. Luke Harder is a consistent contributor at the dish as well with 30 hits and 22 RBI behind a .361 average to go along with 17 runs scored and eight stolen bases. 

With the blue-and-gold's weekend schedule clear, Suffolk has options on the hill. EJ Birch has been the most effective starter with a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 innings over six appearances with two starts. The RHP has 14 strikeouts. Nick Reiser has proven to be reliable as well with a 4.63 ERA over 23.1 innings of which and a staff-best 23 punchouts. Michael Muscarella (24.0 IP, 22 K), Steven Rossi (19.2 IP, 19 Ks) and Shawn Nosky (13.2 IP, 17 Ks) could be in the mound mix on Friday as well. 

BEACONS BREAKDOWN
UMass Boston (14-0) rides a three-game win streak into Friday's action that includes a doubleheader sweep of Castleton and a 5-3 decision against Suffolk's' Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) counterpart Endicott.  

Drew Mtzdorf leads the way at bat for the Bacons 24 hits and 23 RBI on a .364 average to go along with 15 runs scored. Steven Brookwell and Aidan Blake have 23 hits apiece. The former has scored a team-best 31 teams and brought in nine runs, while the latter has chipped in 12 RBI and 19 runs scored. 

Alex Amalfi anchors a deep Beacons staff with a 2.38 ERA over five appearances, all starts. In 22.2 innings he has sat down 36 batters. Dillon Ryan is also a reliable starter on the rubber with a 2.63 ERA over his 24.0 innings in five appearances, three starts, including one complete-game, with a staff-best 37 punchouts. Josh Eastman (2.51 ERA, 14.1 IP, 19 Ks, 3 SV) and Ross Dexter (1.42 ERA, 6.1 IP, 11 K) are dependable out of the pen. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and UMass Boston are no strangers to one another as the two Beantown residents have faced off 38 times. 
• Overall, the Rams lead the series, 24-15.
• The blue-and-gold look to defeat UMB since it down the then-No. 1 Beacons 3-1 March 14, 2019. 
• Suffolk aims to snap a two-game skid against UMass Boston. 
• The Beacons have owned the series as of late with a 5-2 record against the Rams since 2017. That stretch includes the last meeting, an 8-7, 10-inning win over Suffolk March 2, 2020.
• With Anthony Del Prete as skipper, Suffolk sits 3-4 against the Beacons.  

EYES ON THE GAME

SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
The Rams have the weekend off before battling in three non-conference contests over three days with visits to Bridgewater State (April 12), Wheaton (April 13) and Lasell (April 14) on the scheduled April 12-14.