Late Offense Secures Softball a Mercy-Rule Win Over Wentworth in CCC Debut, 11-2

EAST BOSTON – Suffolk softball began its tenure in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) with an impressive offensive output over the fifth and sixth innings to take an 11-2, run-rule decision over Wentworth in game one of the doubleheader at Saturday afternoon at East Boston Memorial Park. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 11 | Wentworth 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (3-6, 1-0 CCC) | Wentworth (0-3, 0-1 CCC) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Base runners were few and far between in the first two frames. In the third, both sides had a pair of runners, but neither took advantage.   

The Leopards managed to break on the board in the top of the fourth. Brionna Myers singled to left center to bring in Julia Bollentin, who started the stanza with a walk and moved into scoring position on Kayla DeMediros single up the middle. The scoring was held there to keep the gap at one.  

In their next trip to the dish Wentworth added another run to its advantage. Kaitlin Pettenger led off with a single through the right side and stole second to put herself in scoring position. The Leopards left fielder cruised in on Briana Beverly's single to left field that tripped up the Suffolk's outfielders and make it a 2-0 game. 

A Rams' response loomed and came in the home half of the fifth. Hailey Cockroft started thing off with a single up the middle and two batters later Bianca Luciano turned on her wheels to secure a base hit on a bunt and move Cockroft over. Ally Cifaratta traded places with Cockroft with a double to left center that put Suffolk on the board and cut the gap in half. 

The scoring did not stop there. With Luciano now on third thanks to Cifaratta's double, Ashley Zulla put the ball in play. Luciano made the run in and Wentworth attempted to make the play at the plate, but Jacklyn Verrette dropped the ball to allow the tying-run to score. From there, a pair Rams' runs were adding to the offensive output in the bottom of the fifth thanks to costly bobble by the Leopards' second baseman. After all the action in that inning, Suffolk sat in front, 4-2.  

Suffolk's defense took care of business in the top of the sixth before the blue-and-gold offense went off the in the bottom of the inning to seal the victory. With the bases juiced, behind a fielder's choice and singles from Caitlin Murphy and Luciano, Cifaratta collected an RBI on a hit by pitch. Zulla then fired a fly ball to the right field that looked to swing foul, but turned into fair territory at the fence to clear the bases.  

The senior's grand slam extended the margin to 9-2. Wentworth made a pitching change once the Rams loaded the bases once again. The fresh arm was no match for Cockroft who's single brought in two more runs to push the host's cushion to eight runs. Thanks to that 11-2 distance, the umpires signaled the game thanks to the mercy rule of eight runs in the sixth stanza.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Constance Phelan picked up the decision behind a two-run, seven-hit, one-walk and four-strikeout effort. 
• DeMedeiros slipped in the circle after allowing 11 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and two walks with five punchouts. 
• Erin Hancock gave up one hit in her short appearance of relief.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Zulla's lone hit of the afternoon, a grand slam, provided four RBI for the captain to finish the day with five RBI and two runs scored. 
• Cockroft had a day at the dish with a 3-for-4 effort with two RBI and two runs scored. 
• Cifaratta notched a 2-for-3 effort with one double for two RBI and two runs scored. 
• Luciano added two hits and two runs. 
• Kornguth contributed two hits, one run and one stolen base.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk began its tenure in the CCC. 
• The Rams and Leopards met for the first time since April 3, 2003. 
• The outing is the first time Suffolk faced Wentworth under Jaclyn Davis' leadership. 
• Suffolk moved to 12-3 all-time against the Leopards. 
• The Rams began is conference calendar, its first in the CCC, 1-0. 
• The run-rule decision is the first for Suffolk against Wentworth. 
• Suffolk captured its second straight league debut. 
• The run-rule outcome is the second time this season Suffolk won via mercy rule. 
• Suffolk won back-to-back games for the first time since sweeping Saint Joseph's (Maine) in a doubleheader April 29, 2019. 
• Zulla's grand slam is the first since Payton Sylvester barreled a go-ahead grand slam in an 11-6 win at Saint Joseph's (Maine) April 24, 2018. 
• Zulla matched a personal-best five RBI. 
• Cockroft set a new career high in hits (3) and runs scored (2) and matched a personal-best two RBI. 
• Luciano matched a career-high in hits (2) and runs scored (2). 
• Cifarratta matched a personal-best two runs scored.  

POST-GAME PIC
  

SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
Suffolk and Wentworth conclude the twinbill this afternoon.