Softball Powers Past Gordon in Seventh in Game 1, 3-1

WENHAM, Mass. – A two-run seventh inning by the Rams broke a one-all tie and sent Suffolk softball to a 3-1 Conference of New England (CNE) victory over Gordon in game one a twinbill.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3 | Gordon 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-10, 3-0 CNE) | Gordon (7-18, 2-9 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gordon broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth behind a one-run single off S Perkins' bat.  

The Rams wasted no time to response as they tied the game in the top of the fifth. Ava Brandow led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a 43 ground out by Diana Rucinski. Lily Gustafson's single through the left side allowed Brandow to score the tying run and lock the game at 1-all.  

After a scoreless sixth, Suffolk made a move in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitter Delaney Doidge doubled to right center and moved to third thanks to Diana Rucinski single up the middle. Catherine Carginan brought the go-ahead run in on a 43 ground out and Diana Rucinski scored an insurance tally to give the blue-and-gold a 3-1 cushion. 

The Fighting Scots kept the Rams on their toes in the home half of the inning with back-to-back base hits. Cynthia Rucinski fanned Marsala Vouriotis looking and Carginan's gloved Makayla Falco's ball in center to put two outs on the board. Ava Rivera hit into a fielder's choice to third and Avery Carvalho stepped up on the hot corner's bag for the unassisted out, the final of the game, to seal the victory.

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Cynthia Rucinski earned the win behind a one-run, seven-hit, one-walk, four-strikeout, complete-game effort. 
• Emily Graham let up three runs, all earned, on seven hits and one walk with four punchouts over 7.0 innings.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Suffolk's seven hits were scattered across seven bats in Carignan, Gustafson, Lily Newhall, Ella Turnbull, Julia Mills, Doidge, Brandow and Diana Rucinski. 
• Doidge had the lone extra-base hit of the day, a double. 
• Carignan and Gustafson brought in one run apiece. 
• Carvalho worked one walk. 
• Newhall had one sac. 
• Gustafson and Mills stole one base apiece.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk began its conference calendar 3-0 for the first time since 2022. 
• The Rams defeated Gordon for the second straight meeting to move to 7-3 all-time against the Fighting Scots. 
• Suffolk is now 2-1 versus Gordon under Megan Cook's guidance. 
• The Rams are now 3-2 on the road versus the fighting Scots.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk looks to sweep the twinbill with Gordon this afternoon.