March 25, 2008

BRYANT ROLLS OVER SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE, 17-2 TUESDAY AFTERNOON

Boxscore

SMITHFIELD, RI - The Bryant University baseball team smacked 23 hits for 17 runs, steamrolling conference foe Southern New Hampshire University, 17-2, Tuesday afternoon at the Bryant Baseball Complex.

The Bulldogs (13-10, 3-1 Northeast-10) erupted for a 5-0 lead with a four-run third inning, a frame highlighted by a deep two-RBI, base-clearing double that fell in at the bottom of the left field fence off the bat of second baseman Dave Muscatello (Hopkinton, Mass.). Muscatello would score on the next batter, a Colin Dougherty (Lowell, Mass.) single up the middle.

Bryant added three more in the top of the fifth, jumpstarted by a leadoff home run from Taylor Ferguson (Charlton, Mass.).

The Penmen responded with a long ball of their own, this one from first baseman Jeff Giannino to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 8-1 entering the sixth.

Both sides notched a run in the sixth frame, but that would be the last time Southern New Hampshire would cross the plate on the day.

The Bulldogs, however, continued to power through the lineup at the plate, posting a three-run seventh inning followed by a four-run eighth to take a 16-2 lead into the final frame. The seven-run pair of innings featured a team-best fifth home run of the year from junior transfer Pat O'Connor (Mattapoisett, Mass.), who took Adam Flynn deep with two out and no one on in the eighth.

Bryant added one more in the top of the ninth, sealing their 17-2 victory.

Starter Dan Lozeau (Pelham, NH) earned the win, moving to 2-1 on the year. Lozeau tossed seven innings of five-hit work, allowing two runs and just one earned run with four strikeouts. Rookies John Michael Ryan (Worcester, Mass.) and Tom Baker (West Brookfield, Mass.) finished the effort with an inning each of hitless and scoreless work.

Bryant Gauthier took the loss on the day, giving up nine runs off six hits with one strikeout in four innings of work.

Seven Bulldogs slugged an extra-base hit on the afternoon, led by O'Connor's homer and double. Ferguson led Bryant, going 4-for-5 from the plate with four RBI and a trio of runs scored. Designated hitter Mark Dondero (Medfield, Mass.) also had four hits, going 4-for-6 with two RBI, a double and a run scored.

Jason Alexander (Simsbury, Conn.) and Pat McKenna (Orange, Conn.) both also recorded three hits in the contest, combining for four runs scored.

Giannino led the Penmen and was the only SNHU player to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 from the plate with a home run, RBI and run scored.

The Penmen will return to Smithfield, RI, Thursday, March 27 to face off against the Bulldogs in the second of their two-game season set. First pitch is 3:30 p.m.