March 11, 2008

BRYANT GIVES UP TWO IN NINTH TO FALL TO PFEIFFER, 7-6, TUESDAY AFTERNOON

Boxscore

Misenheimer, N.C. -- Pfeiffer University's Will Davis hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Falcons a 7-6 victory over the Bryant University baseball team Tuesday afternoon, snapping the Bulldogs' winning streak at five.

Davis's single brought home Ryan Brown for the second score of the inning, as Bryant (8-4) forfeited a ninth-inning lead in the loss.

Pfeiffer (14-14) took Bulldog starter Dan Lozeau (Pelham, N.H.) for four runs in the bottom of the first, when Josh Srickland hit a two-run home run for a quick 2-0 lead. A single, double and two RBI groundouts upped the Falcon lead to 4-0 after one.

The next score would again come from the home team, as Tyler Smith hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth and give the Falcons a five-run advantage.

Bryant cut the lead to 5-2 with runs in the fifth and sixth. Mark Dondero (Medfield, Mass.) singled home Pat O'Connor (Mattapoisett, Mass.) in the top of the fifth before Taylor Ferguson (Charlton, Mass.) came home on a passed ball with one out in the sixth.

Bryant would complete a temporary comeback in the eighth inning, where the Bulldogs batted around, scoring four runs to take the 6-5 lead.

But a leadoff walk to Tyler Smith from Bryant closer Adam Vuolo (Walpole, Mass.) started off a deadly ninth for the visiting Bulldogs.

Smith would score on a Vuolo error after Brown singled, and another walk, sacrifice hit and third walk of the inning loaded the bases for Davis. Davis drilled a single to score Brown and win the game for the Falcons.

Chris Miller started for Pfeiffer throwing seven innings and getting touched for just two runs. But it was reliever Andrew Oliver who picked the win, giving up one run over two innings.

Vuolo (1-1) suffered the loss in the game, while O'Connor led Bryant at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Bulldogs will next take on Mount Olive College in a Wednesday night doubleheader and a single game Thursday before returning north for a four-game set with West Chester, March 15 and 16.