Softball Fights for Spot in GNAC Title Game vs. Emmanuel

MAY 6 | 10:00 AM EAST BOSTON MEMORIAL PARK EAST BOSTON, MASS.
Series Record - Suffolk Leads, 42-20 Last Meeting - April 14, 2018, W, 6-0 Last Suffolk Win - Same Streak - W2 Eyes on the Game

BOSTON – Suffolk softball has one final chance to chase GNAC glory as the top-seeded Rams battle the seventh-seeded Saints of Emmanuel for the spot in the championships contest versus second-seeded Johnson & Wales. Suffolk and the Saints clash at 10 a.m., with the winner taking on the Wildcats in the title game at 12:30 p.m. 

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2018 GNAC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

FIRST ROUND - WEDNESDAY, MAY 2 - SINGLE ELIMINATION
Game 1: #5 Albertus Magnus defeated #8 Lasell, 6-5 | BOX
Game 2: #7 Emmanuel defeated #6 Saint Joseph (Conn.), 5-2 | BOX

SECOND ROUND - THURSDAY, MAY 3 - DOUBLE ELIMINATION
Game 3: #4 Saint Joseph's (Maine) defeated #5 Albertus Magnus vs. at #1 Suffolk, 7-3 | BOX
Game 4: #7 Emmanuel defeated #3 Simmons at JWU, 8-3 | BOX  
Game 5: #1 Suffolk defeated #4 Saint Joseph's (Maine), 2-1 (9 Innings) | BOX
Game 6: #2 JWU defeated #7 Emmanuel, 4-0 | BOX

SEMIFINALS - SATURDAY, MAY 5 - HOSTED AT #1 SUFFOLK
Game 7: #3 Simmons defeated #4 Saint Joseph's (Maine) (Elimination Game), 4-1 | BOX
Game 8: #7 Emmanuel defeated#5 Albertus Magnus (Elimination Game), 9-5 | BOX
Game 9: #2 JWU vs #1 Suffolk, 6-0 | BOX
Game 10: #7 Emmanuel defeated #3 Simmons, 6-3 (Elimination Game) | BOX 

CHAMPIONSHIP - SUNDAY, MAY 6 - HOSTED AT #1 SUFFOLK
Game 11: #1 Suffolk vs. #7 Emmanuel (Elimination Game) - 10:00 AM - Live Stats
Game 12: Winner Game 11 vs. #2 JWU - 12:30 PM - Live Stats
Game 13: If Necessary - 3:00 PM 

LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk softball team saw a bump in the road to GNAC glory as the top-seeded Rams took their first loss of the conference tournament, a 6-0 setback to second-seed Johnson & Wales Saturday afternoon at East Boston Memorial Park. 

MORE READING: Johnson & Wales Blanks Softball, 6-0, in GNAC Semis

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
For the second straight season, Suffolk (30-8) slipped up in the semis to move into the do-or-die game. 

The Rams offense, which led the league entering the postseason, has been limited in the tournament, but looks to get back on track tomorrow. The conference's top bat, Delaney Sylvester, has powered the plate for Suffolk with the senior catcher producing 55 hits and 44 RBI on a powerful slash line of .470/.508/.778 with 38 runs scored. Ashley Zulla(.442, 46 H, 24 RBI, 31 R) and Payton Sylvester(.431, 43 H, 40 RBI, 38 R) are also consistent contributors.  

Each of Suffolk's three starting arms holds an ERA under or just above 2.00. Payton Sylvester's 1.50 ERA anchors the staff with the rookie righthander working 51.1 innings and sitting down 47 hitters. Ali Yamakaitishas seen the most time in the circle for the blue-and-gold with nearly 100.0 innings pitched (93.2) with a 2.02 ERA and 67 strikeouts. Taylor Holmescompletes the contingent with an ERA of 1.91 through 66.0 frames with 58 punchouts. 

SUFFOLK IN THE GNAC TOURNEY
History repeated itself for Suffolk, who is in the GNAC bracket for the seventh straight season and 17th time overall, as the Rams slipped in the winners' bracket semifinal to need three victories to hoist the conference crown. 

SAINTS SAYINGS
Emmanuel (25-17) has surprised the field, working its way into Championship Sunday as it eliminated Saint Joseph's (Conn.), 5-2, opened double elimination with a 5-2 win over Simmons and avoided elimination with a pair of victories over Albertus Magnus (9-5) and the Sharks (6-3).  

Olivia Burgos has been a crucial ingredient to the Saints success with a .419 average for 57 hits for 39 RBI and 40 runs. Casey Sheehan (.360, 45 H, 29 RBI, 27 R) and Audrey Esakoff (.326, 43 H, 14 RBI, 25 R) also provide a punch at the plate for Emmanuel.  

On top of her offensive output, Burgos shoves in the circle for the Saints. The junior RHP has 93.1 innings of work under her belt with a 3.23 ERA and 67 strikeouts. Megan Kieselback has proven to be Emmanuel's ace, however, as Burgos' classmate owns an ERA of 2.40 through 122.2 innings with 97 Ks. 

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk owns a 42-20 all-time record versus Emmanuel all-time. 

WE MEET AGAIN
The Rams swept the Saints in the regular season with a 6-3 victory in game one and a 6-0 shutout in the closer. 

MORE READING: Johnson & Wales Runs Past Softball in Game 1 | Softball Hits Past Johnson & Wales, 6-1, in Game 2

SUFFOLK VS. EMMANUEL IN GNAC TOURNEY
The Rams have met the Saints five times in the GNAC postseason. Suffolk won the first three meetings with Emmanuel taking the last two, both of which came in 2016. 

EYES ON THE GAME

ON DECK
The winner of the Sunday morning showdown advances to the GNAC Championship where it will face second-seed Johnson & Wales.