Softball Starts 2020 Season at Spring Games

BOSTON – Suffolk softball has packed its backs and heads south this weekend for its 10-game Spring Break trip. The Rams will compete against 10 different foes over five days in Central Florida at The Spring Games.

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THE SPRING GAMES
THE Spring Games is the World's largest college softball event. It was founded in 2008 by Dr. Dot Richardson and is held in Clermont, Florida at the Legends Way Ballfields at the National Training Center. The Games are a series of college softball games open to all colleges and universities across the USA and Canada, which hosts Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior College (JUCO) throughout the Lake County and Central Florida.

A LOOK BACK
With a rookie heavy roster a year ago, Suffolk compiled a 21-18 overall record and went 11-5 against GNAC foes to seal its spot in the league tournament for the eighth straight season and 20th time overall. The Rams fell in back-to-back post-season battles to end their season in the second round of the playoffs.

RAMS RETURNERS
Six every day starters are back in Suffolk's lineup that hit just under .300 as a team to go 23-18-1 last season.

The Rams biggest bat of Caitlin Murphy, who had a breakout campaign as a freshman returns. The lead-off lefty hitter produced 47 hits on a .423 average to bring in 12 runs and score 32 herself. Her knowledgeable base running and quick feat saw her swipe 23 bags.

Ashley Zulla was an anchor behind the dish and supplied the offense as well with 38 hits on a .314/.339/.446 slash line.

Outfielders Grace Boehler (41 H, 20 RBI, 25 R, 6 SB) and Samantha Jacques (13 H, 5 RBI, 11 R) and infielders Kelly Keane (37 H, 23 RBI, 13 R) and Hailey Cockroft (13 H, 4 RBI, 8 R) all look to get back in the starting lineup.

Other returns back in the mix looking to contribute right away are Karina Bua, Brooke Cloak, Bianca Luciano and Riley Mulligan.

TWIRLER TIDBITS
Half of last year's inning pitched are back in the circle for the blue-and-gold in sophomore Kennedy Reyes and junior Constance Phelan.

Each RHP sat down 40 hitters through their 70.0-plus frames threw. Reyes had a 4.00 ERA, while Phelan pitched a 4.73 ERA.

RAMS ROOKIES
Head coach Jaclyn Davis has recruited nine members of Suffolk's Class of 2023 to join the Rams' softball program for the 2020 season.

The group is comprised of all true freshmen hailing from six different states and adds depth everywhere on the diamond. A pair of players in Hanna Cash and Alexa White will add a punch to the pitching staff with Leah Kornguth backing up Ashley Zulla behind the plate. There will be four new faces in the infield in Leah Barnes, Leah Sowerbutts, Leina Belog and Ally Cifaratta and a duo of outfielders in Jessica Celli and Grace McGonagle round out the rookie Rams.

MORE READING: Nine Added to Boost Softball's 2020 Roster

GEOGRAPHY 101
Suffolk's geographical makeup spreads 10 states. Seven Rams are Massachusetts products with four coming to the Bay State from New Jersey. A pair hail from New Hampshire and New York, respectively, with one student-athlete representing California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Rhode Island and Oregon.

CLASS CATEGORIES
The bulk of the Rams' 21-player roster is mostly underclassmen with 15 student-athletes coming from the freshmen and sophomore class, respectively. Broken down there are nine true rookies, six sophomores, four juniors and two seniors.

RAMS RINGLEADERS
Suffolk softball head coach Jaclyn Davis has handed the captains reins over to four upperclassmen in seniors Samantha Jacques and Ashley Zulla and juniors Grace Boehler and Kelly Keane.

MORE READING: Quartet Named 2020 Softball Captains

ON THE BENCH
Jaclyn Davis is back at the helm of Suffolk softball for her eighth season.

Three years ago, she cemented her spot as the winningest coach all-time in Suffolk softball history and currently sits with a 189-146 career record on the Rams' bench.

Davis welcomes back assistant coaches Taylor Lester and Alyssa Williamson to the fold for 2020.

WATCH AND SEE
Jaclyn Davis caught up with GoSuffolkRams.com to preview the 2020 Suffolk softball season. To view what Davis had to say and see an insider's look at a Rams' training session, click on the video below.

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
In its final GNAC season in program history, the Suffolk softball team has been predicted to finish as the North Division's runner-up in a vote by the league's 12 head coaches. The Rams received five first place picks to finish with 60 points, two behind the north side's favorite, Emmanuel (62).

MORE READING: Softball Selected Second in North Division in GNAC Preseason Poll

LEADING OFF
Since 1987 Suffolk is 8-24 in the first game of the season. Starting in 1995 the Rams have taken a neutral field on day one of the season and picked up six of their opening day victories on neutral turf. Underneath Jaclyn Davis, Suffolk is 3-4 on opening day.

SCOUTING THE SPRING GAMES FIELD

MONTCLAIR STATE – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS

TRINITY TEXAS – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS
 

ALFRED – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS
 

MOUNT UNION – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS
 

WESTFIELD STATE – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS

SKIDMORE – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS
 

GENEVA – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS

NORTH PARK – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS
 

WESTMINSTER – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS

CLARKSON – HOME – SCHEDULE – ROSTER – STATS
 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk has a week between games from its departure of the Sunshine State to its arrival back in New England. The Rams are set to throw the first pitch of its northern schedule Friday, March 20 when it entertains Emerson at East Boston Memorial Park. The twinbill is set to begin at 3 p.m.