Softball Handles Gordon in Game 2 in Nightcap, 12-2

WENHAM, Mass. – Suffolk softball's bats exploded for 15 hits, including four extra-base knocks, en route to a 12-2, six-inning victory over Gordon in game two of a Conference of New England (CNE) twinbill. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 12 | Gordon 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-10, 4-0 CNE) | Gordon (7-19, 2-10 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rams put up two runs in the top of the first thanks to a two-run single from Julia Mills. Mills brought in Catherine Carignan and Lily Gustafson, who singled and walked, respectively.  

Two innings later, Suffolk's offense put up six runs to turn on the mercy-rule. Gustafson led off with a double down the left field line and Lily Newhall walked to force the Fighting Scots to make a pitching change. Caoimhe Wernsing took over the circle for Katie Melendy and the Rams took advantage of the fresh arm. The next four blue-and-gold batters knocked hits to lengthen the gap to 6-0 and Gordon went to its bull pen yet again.  

Once again Suffolk's bats stayed hot on the new arm, this time Emily Graham, as Avery Carvalho barreled a two-run base hit to center to give the Rams an 8-0 cushion. 

The blue-and-gold kept its foot on the gas pedal in the top of the fourth. Gustafson singled, Newhall doubled and Delaney Doidge wore a pitch to fill the bases. A fielder's choice allowed Gustafson to score and stretch the distance to 9-0. 

Gordon turned off the run-rule in the home half of the fourth thanks to a two-run jack by Samantha Perkins, that trimmed the gap to seven, 9-2.  

After a scoreless fifth, Doidge sent a lead-off solo shot down the left field line to expand the edge to eight once again, 10-2. Suffolk did not stop there as Carignan collected a pair of RBI on a single to center to give the Rams a 12-2 cushion as the game headed to the bottom of the sixth, where Newhall retired the side to seal the victory. 

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Newhall registered the win behind a two-run, one-hit, one-walk, three-strikeout effort over 6.0 innings. 
• Melendy took the loss as she gave up seven runs on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings. 
• Wernsing (4 R, 4 H) and Graham (2.0 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 K) came in in relief for the Fighting Scots. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Doidge went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs. Both of her hits were for extra bases with one double and one dinger. 
• Mills compiled a 3-for-4 plate performance with three RBI and one run scored. 
• Gustafson scored three runs, went 2-for 3 at the dish with double and two walks. 
• Brandow also went 2-for-3 to go along with two runs scored. 
• Carvalho chipped in two hits and two RBI. 
• Carignan added two hits, two RBI and one run.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk began its conference calendar 4-0 for the first time since 2022. 
• The Rams defeated Gordon for the third straight meeting to move to 8-3 all-time against the Fighting Scots. 
• Suffolk is now 3-1 versus Gordon under Megan Cook's guidance. 
• The Rams are now 4-2 on the road versus the fighting Scots. 
• Suffolk swept Gordon for the first time since 2022 and second time overall.  
• The decision was the second-ever mercy-rule result in the Suffolk, Gordon all-time series. 
• Suffolk took Gordon down via run-rule for the first time. 
• A game between Suffolk and Gordon was determined in six innings for the first time. 
• Doidge knocked her second homer of the season.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk takes the rest of the weekend off and returns to action Wednesday, April 16 in a rescheduled twinbill against Curry.