Baseball Meets WPI Monday in New England Debut

SUFFOLK at WPI
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Monday, March 20 3:00 PM New England Baseball Complex Northborough, Mass. NEWMACSportsNetwork.net GoSuffolkRams.com 12-14 May 13, 2009, L, 7-6 1999, W, 19-2 L3

BOSTON – Suffolk baseball begins its New England calendar Monday, March 20 when it visits WPI for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch at the New England Baseball Complex (NEBC) in Northborough, Massachusetts. 

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk baseball ended its Spring Training trip with a 14-5 victory over Keene State thanks to lock down pitching from Caleb Piwnicki and a well-balanced, 14-hit offense Thursday morning at Griffith Field. 

MORE READING: Baseball Downs Keene State, 14-5, to End Spring Trip 

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk went 4-3 over its seven-game, eight-day trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Rams ended their time at the Ripken Experience with back-to-back wins and look to ride that momentum into a hectic week of six games in seven days. 

Harry Painter, Garret Roberts and Jonny Gilbride have all surpassed double-digit hits so pace Suffolk's 8.7 runs per game offense. Painter has brought in a team-best nine RBI on 14 hits, including six extra base knocks (4 doubles and two bombs), behind slash line of .412/.429/.706 with seven runs scored himself. Roberts, who is batting .464, has 13 hits including five doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored. Gilbride's 11 hits are behind a .367 average with a team-high 10 runs scored and five RBI. Gilbride and Painter have been swift on the base paths as well with four stolen bases apiece.  

Suffolk's staff on the hill should be fresh after having the weekend off. George Breslin (13.2 IP, 10 Ks, 1.98 ERA), Painter (5.0 IP, 9Ks, 1.80 ERA), Caleb Piwnicki (7.0 IP, 10 Ks, 1.29 ERA) and Roberts (12.1 IP, 15 Ks, 2.92 ERA) will be in the Rams rotation this week, while Shawn Nosky (2.0 IP, 1 K, 0.0 ERA), Jake Washock (5.1 IP, 1 K), Billy Beneke (3.0 IP, 6 Ks, 0.0 ERA) will likely come out of the pen in relief.  

EYES ON THE ENGINEERS
After going 5-5 in Florida, WPI is unbeaten in Massachusetts with three straight wins, an 8-1 decision versus Brandeis followed by back-to-back 6-2 triumphs against Saint Joseph's (Maine), to carry an 8-5 ledger into Monday's match-up. 

Jeffrey Brennan's bat has been productive for WPI with 18 hits behind a .439 average for 20 RBI to go along with 16 runs scored. Joe Salvon, who is batting .412, has 14 hits with 13 RBI with 11 runs, while Jacob Hand rounds out the top trio at the plate with 16 hits on a .400 average with a team-best 17 runs and five RBI. 

On the bump, the Engineers used a number of arms over the weekend in its doubleheader with the Monks and its Thursday tilt against the Judges. WPI starters Luke Blandino (3.1 IP, 16.20 ERA, 4 Ks) and Andrew Gray (5.2 IP, 7.94 ERA, 7 Ks) may likely receive the nod.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and WPI renew a rivalry, meeting for the first time since 2009. 
• The Rams have fallen in three in a row against the Engineers. 
• Overall, Suffolk sits 12-14 all-time against WPI. 
• The last time the Rams took down the Engineers was in 1999 when Suffolk put together a 19-2 triumph in Cape Coral, Florida. 
• Monday's action will be the first between Suffolk and WPI in the Anthony Del Prete era.  

EYES ON THE GAME

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk is set to start its home scheduled with a Beantown battle Thursday, March 23 as UMass Boston is scheduled to stop by East Boston Memorial Park for a 3:30 p.m. start.