Rams Roll to Victory over AMCATS

BOSTON, Mass. – The Suffolk baseball team had an offensive showing with 66 runs scored in two victories over the Anna Maria College on Saturday afternoong. The Rams took a 30-8 victory in Game 1 and a 36-2 victory in game two at East Boston Memorial Park. The AMCATS fall to 7-25 on the season and 0-8 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play while Suffolk improves to 15-7 overall and 8-0 in conference action. 

An error, hit by pitch and single from Seth Coiley packed the bases to set up Matt Brenner. The senior catcher rocked a ground-rule double to right center to start the rally. Greg Speliotis and Luke Ronchi collected RBIs on a 63 ground out and single, respectively, to make it a 4-1 game. Ronchi came in on a fielder's choice, before a pair of Rams' runners –Kevin Belskie and Kevin Higgins, came home on Brady Chant's single through the left side. The runs kept coming for Suffolk as Sean Cameron's single through the left side brought in two more before Coiley's triple sealed the 9-1 advantage for the hosts after one frame.

In the second, Suffolk did more damage. Speliotis drew a walk to lead off and two batters later came home on Belskie's single to center to give the Rams' double figures, 10-1. 

Another Suffolk error allowed the AMCATS to collect their second run of the day, but it was no match for the bottom of the third that the blue-and-gold put together. With one down and runners on the corners Coiley's blast over the center field fence stretch the Rams' advantage to 13-2.  RBI singles from Belskie and Tirone were followed by a two RBI double down the left line off Higgins' bat to put a 15-run distance between the Rams and AMCATS at the end of the third.

The Rams were kept quiet in the fourth for the first time on the day, before another run filled fifth, that featured six Suffolk runs that put the hosts ahead 23-3. Five Rams collected RBI in the frame in Cameron, Brenner, Speliotis, Trevor Lee and Tirone.     

Anna Maria had a multiple run inning of its own in the top of the sixth. Five AMCATS came home, but it would not make a dent in Suffolk's advantage as the Rams remained ahead by double figures, 23-8. 

Suffolk kept their multiple run innings going with seven more in the sixth seal up the victory, 30-8.

Matt Leahey (Rutland, Mass.) led the AMCATS at the plate going two-for-three with two RBIs on the day. Jonathan Roy (Worcester, Mass.) and Dylan Carissimo (Tampa, Fla.) notched two runs each for the visitors. 

Thirteen Rams combined for 27 hits with eight having multiple hits on their stat line. Brenner's 4-for-5 effort led the way with the senior catcher grabbing three RBI and two runs with one double. Coiley was perfect at the plate, 3-for-3, with one triple and one homer to finish with five RBI and three runs. Chant's three hits all were good for three bases with the junior centerfielder going 3-for-6 to finish with one RBI and five runs. Belskie and Tirone had identical stat lines; 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. 

GAME TWO

Suffolk continued its offensive onslaught with multiple runs in the ensuing innings to lock up the 36-2 victory. 

Jacob Nichols (Auburn, Mass.) and Camden Brown (Gardner, Mass.) each went two-for-three with one RBI in the loss.

For the second straight game Suffolk recorded 20-plus hits, finishing the outing with 24 as 12 of the 16 Rams, who went to the plate recorded at least one hit. Belskie (3-3), Brenner (3-5), Chant (3-5) and Ronchi (3-5) all had three hits to their credit with Brenner, Belskie and Higgins each bringing in five runs apiece. Belskie added five runs scored to his impressive stat line with Ronchi matching that number, while the quartet of Chant, Brenner, Speliotis and Tirone all crossed home four times apiece.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Anna Maria hosts Rivier University in GNAC action for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Mass.