Softball Nips UNE in Extras in Game 1, 2-1

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Suffolk softball kept its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) record perfect as the Rams secured a 2-1, eight-inning triumph against the University of New England in the first game of a double feature at Nor'Easter Diamond Sunday afternoon.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | University of New England 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (14-5, 5-0 CCC) | University of New England (10-15, 4-3 CCC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
UNE got on the board in the first inning behind a base hit to left center from Abby Miner that scored Makenzy Herron, who tripled beforehand to the same spot.  

The Nor'Easters maintained that margin until the third. Jolie Quintana walked and Ava Brandow singled to center to get Suffolk's bats going. One out later, Ira Boci bunted a base hit to the pitcher to put all the Rams in the pond. Alexa White's sent a shot to left field that was gloved in foul territory, but it still allowed Quintana to score and knot the playing field at 1-all.  

Action turned to the twirler's hands from there with limited base runners on both sides. Suffolk had a chance on in the top of the sixth when an error allowed pinch hitter Haley Oteri to reach and two batters later Bianca Luciano bunted a base hit to third to give the blue-and-gold runners on first and second. Caitlin Murphy and Quintana both hit into high foul outs though to keep the score still. 

An inning later, UNE had an opportunity of its own. Megan Chamberlain led off with a walk, moved over on Becca Dumont's ground out to the pitcher to have the game-winning run in scoring position. After Tina LeBlanc singled, Suffolk's field backed up Jenny Jacob in the circle to hold the host scoreless in the bottom of the seventh and send the contest into extra innings.  

Boci was placed on second to get the inning going and Julia Newcomb took her place on the bags as a pinch runner. White laid down a sac bunt to advance the runner to third. With a Ram in prime scoring position, Lily Gustafson swung away and knocked a double to right center to push Suffolk ahead, 2-1.  

UNE found itself with a runner on third with no outs after an erratic pitch by Jacob. Martell looked to capitalize on Herron's fly out to center, however, the Nor'Easters pitcher left early to put two outs on the board instead. Luciano called game when she gloved A Miner's fly ball in right.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Jacob went the full 8.0 innings and compiled a stat line of one-run on four hits and two walks with six striketouts. 
• Martell gave up two runs, one earned, on seven hits and four walks with six punchouts in 8.0 innings of work. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Luciano went 3-for-4 to lead the way at the dish. 
• Boci, Brandow, Murphy and Gustafson supplied one hit each.
• Gustfason's hit was a double, while Murphy's was a triple. 
• Gustafson and White recorded one RBI apiece. 
• Newcomb and Quintana scored one run each. 
• Brandow and Ally Cifaratta each stole one base.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk started its conference calendar 5-0 for the first time since 2009 when it began its league ledger 5-0. 
• The Rams improved to 4-2 against the Nor'Easters.
• Suffolk defeated UNE in back-to-back battles. 
• The blue-and-gold is unbeaten, 2-0, on the road against UNE.
• Suffolk and UNE went into extra innings for the first time in the all-time series. 
• Suffolk needed extra time to decide a winner for the second time this season. 
• The Rams boast a 2-0 record in extra innings this year and in the Janet Maguire era. 
• Jacob improved to 5-1 on the rubber this season. 
• Luciano logged a career-high three hits. 
• Gustafson has produced a double in back-to-back games. 
• Boci and Brandow each stretched their hit streaks to four games. 
• Murphy ran her hit streak to five outings. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk concludes the CCC doubleheader at UNE this afternoon.