Softball Slips Past USJ, 6-4, in Game 2

EAST BOSTON – As the sky began to open up and rain poured down on East Boston Memorial Park, Suffolk softball managed to grab a 6-4 lead over the University of Saint Joseph at the end of the fifth frame to be declared the winner of the closer of the GNAC doubleheader, which was called complete after five innings due to unsafe field conditions Friday afternoon. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 6, Saint Joseph (Conn.) 4
RECORDS: Suffolk (27-7, 20-2 GNAC) | Saint Joseph (Conn.) (20-14, 12-8 GNAC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED

Suffolk scored three runs in the home half of the first. With one out, Sydney Littlefield singled to short and advanced to second as Devlin Frost drew a walk. Jaclyn Flint's single up the middle brought in Littlefield and pushed Frost to second. An overthrow by the Blue Jays catcher allowed Flint and Frost move to second and third, respectively, before Delaney Sylvester's single to left center cleared the bases and gave the blue-and-gold a 3-0 cushion. 

USJ responded and then some two innings later. As rain grew heavier, misplayed balls and erratic throws were evident and the Blue Jays took advantage, scoring four runs to flip the switch and gain a 4-3 edge.  

Flint righted the wrong in the bottom of the inning as the junior second baseman went yard over the left field fence to level the playing field at 4-all. Delaney Sylvester kept the inning going with a single to left field and advanced to second on an erratic throw by the Blue Jays left fielder. Sylvester used McKenzie McGrath's single up the middle to take third before smart base running by the senior catcher scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.  

An inning later, Suffolk added an insurance run. Payton Sylvester's lead-off double was followed by a sac bunt by Littlefield to put the rookie shortstop in prime scoring position. A 43 ground out by Frost allowed Payton Sylvester to score and turn it into a 6-4 Suffolk score.  

Taylor Holmes showed composure through the inclement weather and retired the side. In Suffolk's turn at the plate, USJ sat down the Rams in order before the Umpires called the contest.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Holmes improved to 10-0 on the year after allowing four unearned runs on five hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters. 
• Alessandra Milardo (10-4) let up six runs, four earned, on eight hits and two walks with one K to her credit.  

STATISTCALLY SPEAKING

• Flint provided a punch at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance with a pair of RBI and two runs scored. 
• Delaney Sylvester also went 2-for-3, bringing in two runs and scoring the game-winner. 
• Payton Sylvester, Littlefield, McGrath and Grace Boehler all had one hit apiece.  
• Frost tallied one RBI. 
• Frost, Littlefield and Payton Sylvester each scored one run.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk swept USJ for the first time since 2015 to improve to 23-14 all-time versus the Blue Jays. Overall, the Rams have swept the doubleheader against St. Joseph seven times. 
• The Rams improved to 20-2 in conference contests this season marking the best GNAC ledger under Jaclyn Davis. 
• Suffolk's 20 conference victories mark the second time in program history the Rams won 20 league outings, first time under Davis guidance and first since going 21-3 against league counterparts in 2006.  

POST-GAME PIC
 

COMING UP
Suffolk takes a break from GNAC action tomorrow, Saturday, April 28 when it entertains Emerson in the Rams' first annual Bark at the Park Event. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.