Softball Blanks Wentworth in Five in Game One, 8-0

REVERE, Mass. – Suffolk softball ran past Wentworth in game one of a Conference of New England (CNE) doubleheader, 8-0, in five innings behind a three-hit, complete-game by Cynthia Rucinski.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 8 | Wentworth 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (17-15, 8-7 CNE) | Wentworth (12-24, 8-9 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Free bases helped Suffolk get onto the board in the third. With the bases chucked, all on walks, Dana Stillworked a full-count walk to give the blue-and-gold a 1-0 edge. Two batters later, Claire Basaldua collected one RBI on a fielder's choice before Julia Mills' laced a two-run double down the left field line that padded the margin to 4-0. 
• The Rams lengthened their lead in their next turn at the plate. Once again, the bases were juiced, but this time Ava Lanza sliced a dribbler through the right side that brought in Kendal Heyman, who singled herself. On that same play, a bobble by Wentworth's right fielder Quincy Bolduc allowed Sara Butera to slid into home as well. Dana Still kept the blue-and-gold rally going as the freshman placed a two-run double in fair territory down the left field line that padded the cushion to 8-0. 
• Lexi Lefkowski bunted for a single to lead off the top of the fifth and look to spark Wentworth. Rucinski got the first out of the frame on a backwards K before the Rams' defense rallied around Rucinski and turned a double play to put the game in the books.  

PITCHERS PICTURE

• Rucinski registered a three-hit, five-strikeout, complete-game shutout. 
• Julia Schriver took the loss as she gave up four runs on one hit and five walks with three punchouts through 3.0 innings. 
• Maddy Longoria gave up four runs on three hits and two walks with one K in 1.0 inning of relief. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Still brought in three runs on one hit, a double, with one run and one walk. 
• Lanza scored twice to go along with one hit, one RBIA and one walk. 
• Mills brought in two runs on one hit, a double. 
• Butera added two runs and one walk. 
• Heyman had one hit and one run. 
• Quintana chipped in two runs and three walks.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk has defeated Wentworth in back-to-back battles. 
• The Rams are now 19-8 all-time against the Leopards. 
• The blue-and-gold blanked WIT in two consecutive meetings. 
• As the home team, Suffolk improved to 14-4 versus Wentworth. 
• Today's decision was the second run-rule game in the series, first since March 27, 2021, an 11-2, six-inning Suffolk win. 
• Quintana had a career-high three walks. 
• Lanza (3 games, 4 hits), Still (2 games, 4 hits), Mills (3 games, 5 hits), 
• Still tied a personal-best three RBI. 
• Butera scored a career-high two runs.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk looks to sweep Wentworth in game two this afternoon.