Softball Salutes Seniors in GNAC Finale vs. Rivier Saturday

BOSTON – The inside track on the GNAC regular-season title and hosting right for the GNAC Championship is on the line as the Suffolk softball team takes on Rivier in a twinbill Saturday, April 30. Prior to the 12 p.m. Game 1 first pitch, the Rams will honor the playing careers of their two graduating seniors Meredith Ball and Nicole Isakson. 

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LAST TIME  OUT
The Suffolk softball team won both ends of a GNAC doubleheader for the sixth time this season as the Rams defeated the AMCATS oaf Anna Maria at Clark's O'Brien Field by scores of 7-2 and 6-2, respectively.

The Rams secured the third most amounts of wins in Suffolk softball's 32-year history as it improved to 27-7 overall and 16-4 in league play. Anna Maria, meanwhile, fell to 4-29 overall and 2-18 in league action.

MORE READING: Softball Secures Sixth GNAC Sweep of Season at Anna Maria

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Delaney Sylvester has been a catalyst during Suffolk's season, hitting at a .471 clip and boasting a .521 on-base percentage. She has led a group of eight players with double-digit RBI totals with 34 and belted out five home runs. Sylvester's 49 hits lead the way, while Devlin Frost and Jill Pulek join the sophomore catcher in the 40-hit club with 44 and 40, respectively.  Pulek, who is hitting .430, slugging .742 and has a .523 on-base percentage, has scored 34 runs and brought in 32. Frost rounds out the deadly trio with 32 runs scored and 27 RBI thanks to 10 doubles, four homers and two triples.

Ali Yamakaitis and Taylor Holmes have been nearly untouchable in the circle, collecting 10 wins apiece in 18 and 19 appearances, respectively. Yamakaitis has twirled 95.2 innings, allowed 40 runs on 78 hits, walked 32 and struck out 527 for a 1.76 ERA, with Holmes seeing 83.0 innings of action, giving up 39 runs on 78 hits, punching out 55 and walking 31 for a 1.77 ERA. Kim Crucioli has been a potent reliever for the Rams with the junior owning a 6-2 record with two saves in 42.2 innings and a 2.92 ERA.

SALUTE TO THE SENIORS
Suffolk softball has gotten better with age over the past four years thanks in part to the Rams' Class of 2016 – Meredith Ball and Nicole Isakson. Since a 16-25, 11-13 GNAC season as freshman in 2013, that saw the Rams make a run at the GNAC Championship game, Ball and Isakson have contributed to three consecutive 20-plus win seasons all culminating in GNAC Tournament appearances and a regular-season title and ECAC appearance in 2015 as juniors. As senior captains this season, the two have helped Suffolk put together a 27-7 overall record thus far, the third most wins in Suffolk softball's 32-year history. Bolstered by the leadership of Ball and Isakson, Suffolk looks to capture its second straight GNAC regular-season crown, win the conference tournament and make the program's first appearance at NCAAs, while setting history along the way and upstaging the 2005's team victories mark of 32. 

ROOKIE RECOGNITION
Every week Suffolk has been in action this season a rookie has been recognized with back-to-back GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week accolades. Jill Pulek earned the distinction March 14, whileEvelyn Marquis garnered the honor March 21. 

MORE READING:  Pulek Tabbed GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week | Marquis Named GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week

FROST'S FIRST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
Devlin Frost earned her first GNAC Corvias Player of the Week recognition of her career Monday as the sophomore produced seven hits and a .538 batting average in four games last weekend, helping the Rams turn in a 3-1 record.

MORE READING: Frost Picks Up GNAC Corvias Player of the Week Nod

RAIDERS RUNDOWN
Rivier, who players Mount Ida Friday night, enters the weekend on a three-game win streak and the ninth highest win total in the GNAC at 6-12 against conference competition and 11-17 overall. 

The sophomore-junior tandem of Tori Dugan and Shaylyn Freitas have been leading a potent Rivier offense this season as Dugan lads the team in hits (40), runs (35) and stolen bases (28) and boasts one of the highest batting averages in the league, .435. Freitas leads the team in RBI (24) on 27 hits to go along with 19 runs scored, 12 walks and six stolen bases. 

Taylor Miller and Jess Shanahan have proven to be the Raiders' one-twin in the circle. Miller brings a 6-5 record into the weekend to go with 33 strikeouts and a 3.95 ERA. Hegarty is 3-9 in 68.0 innings of work with 29 Ks and a 7.31 ERA. 

COMING UP
To prep for the GNAC tournament, Suffolk will stop by Curry Wednesday for a double feature. The opener is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.