Season Spotlight: Softball’s Top Nine Heading into 2018

BOSTON – With just nine days remaining until the first pitch of Suffolk softball's 34th-season – Saturday, March 10 versus Geneseo at 9 a.m. in Clermont, Florida – here are the top nine things to keep an eye out for in 2018. 

1. HISTORICAL HITS
   
   Senior catcher Delaney Sylvester, who already appears on 10 of Suffolk's offensive all-time lists, looks to solidify her spot as one of the greatest Rams to don the blue-and-gold and hit her way atop the all-time hits list. The 2017 first-team all-region selection by the NFCA, currently has 174 career  hits, 53 shy of the record 227 set by Suffolk's first and only All-American Jess Ferreira from 2006-09. In order to take down the nine-year record the three-time All-GNAC honoree needs to produce at least 1.3 hits per game in the regular season. Currently, her 174 hits are good for fifth place. 

2. TO BE THE BEST, YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE BEST
   
   Suffolk will have its work cut out for itself in 2018 as its slate is one of the toughest to date with three of its opponents coming off 2017 NCAA Regional bids.
   
   Amherst, who currently sits seventh in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll, highlights the trio as the Mammoths found themselves Oklahoma City bound a year ago. After capturing the regional title they went on to take the super-regional crown to earn a spot in the field of eight in the 2017 NCAA Division III Championship. Suffolk and Amherst are set to clash Sunday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m., while the Rams will take on local foe UMass Boston, who competed in the NCAA Regionals last season as well, Saturday, March 10 at 11:30 a.m.
   
   In the league race, the Rams will have to go through preseason favorite and three-time reining GNAC Champ, Johnson & Wales, to capture the conference crown.
   
   
3. NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
   
   The Rams lineup will get a boost from the addition of five rookies this season. Suffolk's Class of 2021 includes outfielder Grace Boehler, infielder Kelly Keane, utility players Hailey Cockroft and Payton Sylvester, who also pitches, and twirler Constance Phelan.
   
   
4. WHO'S AT FIRST?
   
   With the graduation of Suffolk's all-time putouts leader, GNAC all-tournament team selection, first baseman Lindsay Pagano (.985 FPCT/26 H/23 RBI) the Rams have a big hole to fill at first. Rookie Kelly Keane is the top candidate to fill the void.
   
   
5. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
   
   Following its 10-game Spring Break trip, 18 of Suffolk's remaining 30 contests will be played on the friendly confines of East Boston Memorial Park's diamond. Over the previous five seasons under Jaclyn Davis' guidance, the Rams have won 67.5 percent (52-25) of its contests as the host team.
   
   
6. PITCHER PERFECT
   
   Suffolk's staff is one of the deepest in recent history with six arms on roster – four true twirlers and a duo of positional pitchers. Jaclyn Davis' stable welcomes back the likes of seniors Taylor Holmes (3.58 ERA / 12-9 / 86 Ks / 119.1 IP) and Ali Yamakaitis (2.34 ERA / 12-8 / 88 Ks / 134.2 IP), juniors Hannah DelCervo and Jaclyn Flint (3.58 ERA / 5-0). As a team the foursome put together a 3.30 ERA through 46 outings with 201 strikeouts. The Rams will count on the fresh arms of Constance Phelan and Payton Sylvester to add depth inside the circle.
   
   
7. SENIOR SCRIPT
   
   Suffolk's six seniors – Madison Eucalitto, Devlin Frost, Taylor Holmes, Sydney Littlefield, Delaney Sylvester and Ali Yamakaitis - have the chance to graduate as the Rams' winningest class in softball history. Currently the six own an 87-48 all-time record, which is 21 victories away from the all-time win-mark of 108, set by both the Class of 2006 and 2017. With 13 wins, the Class of 2018 will become the third-ever group of seniors to eclipse the 100-win mark.
   
   
8. SYLVESTER SISTERS
   
   Delaney and Payton Sylvester will get to play one final season of softball together in 2018 as the former takes the field for her final campaign in Boston, while the latter opens up her collegiate career. The last time the two sisters from Worcester, Massachusetts, played together they were on the hunt for the MIAA Division I Championship at Doherty Memorial in 2014. Four years later and the Sylvester sisters look to bring the Rams GNAC glory and Suffolk's first-ever NCAA Trip this season.  
   
   
9. HOW TO FOLLOW SUFFOLK SOFTBALL IN 2018
   
   Family, fans and friends of Suffolk softball can follow all of the action via the Athletic Department's website, GoSuffolkRams.com. Every game will be previewed and recapped with in-game live stats offered for every home event.
   
   Thanks to the partners from FloSoftball, every one of Suffolk's spring break games at THE Spring Games 2018 will be live streamed, bringing the members of Ram Nation a glimpse at the blue-and-gold earlier than usual.
   
   Members of Ram Nation are also encouraged to stay up-to-date with the Rams' official social media sites, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and use the official hashtag #RamNation for an insider's look at Suffolk's teams and student-athletes. For softball specific contest, give Suffolk Softball a follow of Facebook and Instagram.