BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Softball team swept Suffolk in Conference of New England doubleheader action on Sunday afternoon on Senior Day. The Hawks took game one 4-3 in eight innings, before blanking Suffolk in game two 6-0. Raegen Germano (Old Tappan, N.J.) recorded her 350th career strikeout in game one, while Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.) recorded her 100th career hit in game two.
Before the games, the Hawks celebrated their four seniors: Germano, Natalie Lundari (Flemington, N.J.), Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.), and Nicolette Fraser (Swampscott, Mass.).
Game One: RWU 4, SUFFOLK 3 (eight innings)
On the mound for the Hawks, Germano earned the complete game victory, tossing all 8.0 innings. Germano struck out seven while allowing seven hits and three runs (two earned).
For Suffolk, Lily Newhall took the loss, pitching 7.1 innings with eight strikeouts while allowing 10 hits and four runs (three earned).
Roger Williams opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.) came around to score on an RBI single from Adrianna Amaral (Taunton, Mass.), though Amaral was thrown out attempting to stretch the hit into a double, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The Hawks added to their advantage in the fourth. Madison Moran (Attleboro, Mass.) scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by O'Connor, extending the lead to 2-0.
Suffolk responded in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game. Roma Braid scored on a sacrifice fly by Catherine Carignan, before Jolie Quintana came home on a wild pitch to even the score at 2-2.
The game remained deadlocked until extra innings. In the top of the eighth, the Rams placed Carignan at second. Suffolk took its first lead of the contest as Carignan scored on an RBI single by Julia Mills, putting them ahead 3-2.
Roger Williams answered in the bottom half of the inning. Lucy Maurao (Holliston, Mass.) was placed on second to start it off. Maurao scored on an RBI single to right field by Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) to tie the game. Starratt stole second to put the winning run in scoring position. Later in the frame, O'Connor delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI single to right, scoring Starratt and securing the 4-3 victory for the Hawks.
Roger Williams recorded 10 hits in the contest. Starratt led the way with two hits and an RBI, while Foley collected three hits and scored a run. O'Connor added two RBIs for the Hawks.
Suffolk totaled seven hits in the game. Ava Lanza recorded two hits, while Mills and Carignan each drove in a run.
Game Two: RWU 6, SUFFOLK 0
In the circle for the Hawks, Lundari earned the win with a complete game shutout. Lundari pitched 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits while striking out two and walking one.
For Suffolk, Cynthia Rucinski took the loss, throwing 6.0 innings with six strikeouts while allowing 11 hits and six runs.
Roger Williams got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Skye Merrow (Hudson, N.H.) doubled to right field to score Madison Tucholski (Massapequa, N.Y.), before Williams followed with a two-run home run to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead.
The Hawks added to their advantage in the fifth inning. Maurao scored on a sacrifice fly from McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.), and O'Connor tripled to center field to bring home Starratt, extending the lead to 5-0.
Roger Williams capped the scoring in the sixth inning as Williams launched her second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field, making it 6-0.
The Hawks totaled 11 hits in the contest. Williams led the way, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Starratt and Maurao each recorded two hits, while Merrow added a double and an RBI.
Suffolk was limited to just four hits in the game. Dana Still recorded two hits to lead the Rams, while Lily Newhall added a triple.
Roger Williams (15-7, 7-2 CNE) will head to Curry on Tuesday, Apr. 14, before heading to Wheaton on Wednesday, April 15.
