Softball Welcomes Saint Joe’s, Visits Simmons

APRIL 24 | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM EAST BOSTON MEMORIAL PARK EAST BOSTON, MASS. GAME 1: LIVE STATS GAME 2: LIVE STATS
Series Record - Suffolk Trails, 12-19 Last Meeting - May 4, 2017 Last Suffolk Win - Same Streak - W1 Eyes on the Game

BOSTON –The Suffolk softball team will be on the diamond Tuesday, April 24 as the Rams entertain Saint Joseph's (Maine) in a GNAC doubleheader at 4 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk softball team locked up the GNAC sweep over Albertus Magnus as the Rams burst past the Falcons, 11-3, in game two Sunday afternoon at East Boston Memorial Park.

MORE READING: Softball Run Rules Albertus Magnus, 11-3, in Nightcap

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk (23-7, 16-2 GNAC), who has now won 20 games or more in the last five seasons, and has captured 16 GNAC wins for the fourth consecutive campaign thanks to sweeps over Mount Ida and Albertus Magus over the weekend. 

The Sylvester sisters have truly powered the Rams at the plate this season as the pair has combined for nearly 30 percent of the team's hits. Payton Sylvester, who is hitting .448, has a team-high 43 hits and also leads the way in runs 30, while bringing in 29 runs. Delaney Sylvester, meanwhile, has 42 hits on a team-best .472 connection rate with 29 RBI. Jaclyn Flint (.409, 38 H, 32 RBI, 27 R) and Ashley Zulla (.452, 38 H, 23 RBI, 24 R) are also consistent contributors offensively. 

In the circle, Taylor Holmes is the top twirler as the senior boasts a league-best 1.30 ERA in 53.2 innings of action and 42 strikeouts. Payton Sylvester (1.59 ERA, 39.2 IP, 36 Ks) and Ali Yamakaits (2.59 ERA, 67.2 IP, 42 Ks) also provide a punch on the rubber for the Rams.

MONKS MENTIONABLES
Saint Joseph's is on a four-game win streak as the Monks swept Lasell and Anna Maria over the weekend to move to 14-14 overall and 10-6 against conference competition. 

Three different every day hitters are batting over .400 for the Monks. Libby Pomerleau leads the way with a.485 average with 47 hits, 16 RBI and 29 runs. Melodie Bailey's .482 connection rate falls in a close second and has provided 40 hits, 17 RBI and 17 runs, while Maizie Lee is hitting .443 to compete the trio. She has 27 hits, 21 RBI and 12 runs to her credit. 

The Monks cycle through three different arms. Kristal Smith is the most experienced pitcher with 74.0 innings of work including 13 starts. She holds team top numbers in ERA (4.26) and strikeouts 43. Kate Whitney holds a 4.88 ERA with 29 Ks through 56.0 frames inside the circle, while Caitlyn King completes the threesome with a 5.52 ERA and 21 punchouts in 33.0 frames.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk and Saint Joe's last met in Standish, Maine in the 2017 GNAC playoffs where the Rams defeated the Monks, 5-2, behind a grand slam by Lindsey Pagano. The win put the Rams at 12-19 all-time against the Monks.

EYES ON THE GAME

WINNINGEST
The Rams' six-member senior class – Madison Eucalitto, Devlin Frost, Taylor Holmes, Sydney Littlefield, Delaney Sylvester and Ali Yamakaitis – won their 109th game together to become the all-time winningest Suffolk Softball Class in the program's 33-year history.  

FIVE-TIME ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
For the fifth time this season, Payton Sylvester of the Suffolk softball team took home GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week recognition, the league office announced Monday. The laurels after a 5-1 week for the Rams were the freshman put together a slash line of .435/.417/.696. 

MORE READING: Sylvester Swipes Fifth GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week Nod 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk takes Thursday off before entertaining Saint Joseph (Conn.) in Eastie Friday, April 27 at 4 p.m.