SAINTS SPLIT WITH SUFFOLK IN CROSSTOWN TWIN-BILL

BOSTON, Mass. - The Suffolk University Softball Team hosted the Emmanuel College Saints in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) twinbill on Friday afternoon. Making their final play-off push, the Rams and the Saints split, as Suffolk took game one, 1-0, and Emmanuel won game two, 2-1.

Game One: Suffolk 1, Emmanuel 0

Defense and pitching kept both teams off the board until the fifth inning. Pitcher Kim Crucioli (North Andover, Mass.) allowed only six hits on the afternoon and picked up her eleventh win of the season. For the Saints pitcher Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) allowed five hits and had 10 strikeouts.

The Rams were finally able to break a hole in the Saints' defense at the bottom of the fifth with two outs. Nikki Cignarella (Norwood, Mass.) singled to bring home Sarah Chasse (Salem, Mass.) for the first and only score of the game to get the Rams the 1-0 advantage.

The Rams kept a tight defense to hold the Saints scoreless for the last two innings to pull out the 1-0 victory.

Game Two: Suffolk 1, Emmanuel 2

Defense and pitching continued to be a factor in the second game, keeping both teams off the bags. Suffolk was the first to get on the board in game two with a homerun from Anna Grace Maggs (Schenectady, N.Y.) in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the fifth, Emmanuel got their two runs. Sophomore shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) tripled to right field to plate Julia Levins (Uxbridge, Mass.) and tie the game 1-1. Kerianne Vulpis (East Rockaway, N.Y.) then singled to right field to score Davis for a 2-1 edge over the Rams.

Both teams kept a strong hold on the defensive side to close out the game. Chasse had five strikeouts on the afternoon.

With the split Suffolk is now 17-21 overall and 9-11 in GNAC play. Emmanuel is 15-20 overall and 7-13 in conference action.

The Rams are back in action on Saturday, hosting their last home game in a conference twin bill with Albertus Magnus starting at 12:00pm. Emmanuel will be hosting Anna Maria College in a GNAC double-header starting at 12:00pm.  The three seniors on the Saints' squad will be honored prior to the start of the game.

- Courtesy of Suffolk University Sports Information Dept.