Softball Clips Nichols in CCC Opener, 4-3

DUDLEY, Mass. – Suffolk softball opened its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) calendar with a 4-3 win over Nichols Saturday afternoon at Nichols' Softball Field. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 4 | Nichols 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-4, 1-0 CCC) | Nichols (3-10, 0-1 CCC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk chased two early as the Bison broke onto the board in the bottom of the first thanks to three hits, a sac bunt and an erratic pitch by Rams' starter Ava Brandow.  

Two innings later, the blue-and-gold made up the ground thanks to extra-base knocks. Bianca Luciano bunted for a base hit, swiped second and Jolie Quintana traded places with her with a double to left field. A passed ball later, Brandow barreled a double of her down to bring in Quintana and level the playing field at 2-all.  

In their next turn at the plate, the Rams took the lead. With two outs Ira Boci rocked a two-bagger of her town to plate Lily Gustafson, who singled and took second on a wild pitch. The sophomore's RBI pushed the visitors in front, 3-2.  

After a scoreless fifth Suffolk padded the margin a touch more in the sixth. Haley Oteri led off with a single to third and Gutsafson sacrificed herself with a bunt to the catcher to move her over. Oteri turned on her running shoes when Ella Turnbull singled to right to give the Rams a 4-2 edge.  

The Bison got one run back to set up an interesting, one-run, seventh. Nichols reliever Alyssa Ouellete handled the blue-and-golds bats in order and Brandow did the same to secure the win for Suffolk. 

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Brandow logged a three-run (two-earned), six-hit, one-walk, two-strikeout, complete-game effort. 
• Candice Nelson suffered the setback for Nichols after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits and two walks with four punchouts in 5.1 innings. 
• Ouellete dealt 1.2 innings of scoreless, hitless relief with one punchout.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Suffolk's seven hits were scattered around seven different bats: Quintana, Brandow, Oteri, Gustafson, Trunbull, Boci and Luciano. 
• Brandow, Boci and Quintana all produced doubles. 
• Boci, Brandow, Turnbull and Quintana brought in one run each. 
• Oteri, Quintana, Gustafson and Luciano all scored once. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk started its CCC calendar against Nichols for the first time. 
• The Rams opened CCC play in the win column for the second straight season. 
• Suffolk has never dropped a CCC opener. 
• The Rams renewed a rivalry with the Bison as the teams tangled for the first time since March 13, 2006. 
• Suffolk and Nichols battled in Dudley, Massachusetts for the first time. 
• Suffolk beat the Bison for the first time in the all-time series. 
• The Rams moved to 1-2 all-time against Nichols. 
• Turnbull brought in the first run of her collegiate career. 
• Gustafson scored the first run of her collegiate career. 
• Oteri registered the first hit of her collegiate career.  

POST-GAME PIC
  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk and Nichols wrap up the CCC twinbill this afternoon.