Baseball
April 17, 2008
NO. 25 BRYANT FALLS TO SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT AT HOME, 1-0, THURSDAY
SMITHFIELD, RI - Despite getting six hits and three errors off visiting Southern Connecticut State University, the Bryant University baseball team stranded 12 baserunners Thursday afternoon, falling to the Owls, 1-0, at the Bryant Baseball Complex.
The loss saw the season-best six-game winning streak of the No. 25 Bulldogs (27-14, 15-5 Northeast-10) snapped at the hands of the Owls (19-16, 9-6), who Bryant had beat 10-0 Tuesday afternoon in New Haven, Conn.
But it was a different story on Bryant's home turf.
The Bulldogs threatened first in the bottom of the fourth, when junior shortstop Pat McKenna (Orange, Conn.) hit a leadoff triple only to be gunned down at home two batters later.
Instead it was Southern Connecticut who got the scoring started in the top of the fifth frame, thanks to catcher Nick DeProspo, who knocked a two-out single up the middle to bring Mo Davidson around from second to take the 1-0 lead.
Bryant looked as though it would take its first advantage of the ballgame in the sixth, when an error, a walk and a beaning put McKenna, designated hitter Mark Dondero (Medfield, Mass.) and second baseman Dave Muscatello (Hopkinton, Mass.) on to load the bases with two outs for leadoff hitter Jason Alexander (Simsbury, Conn.). But the senior captain couldn't get the hit, grounding into a fielder's choice that put Dondero out at third and got the Owls out of the inning unscathed.
The Bulldogs wouldn't get another runner past second base for the remainder of the contest, as the Owls held on to win it, 1-0.
Owls starter Justin Cox (3-3) threw 116 pitches, 72 for strikes, in 6.0 shutout innings for the win, fanning seven while walking just two. Mike Connors earned his third save of the year with a one-hit, three-inning outing.
Brent Almeida (Fairhaven, Mass.) took the loss for the Bulldogs, moving to 2-3 on the year despite pitching his second complete game of the season (107 pitches/63 strikes). The righty gave up just five hits and one earned run, striking out six and issuing a trio of free passes.
Sophomore first baseman Dylan Stone (Portsmouth, RI) led Bryant offensively, going 2-for-4, while Alexander, McKenna, Taylor Ferguson (Charlton, Mass.) and Jeff Vigurs (South Windor, Conn.) chipped in a hit apiece in the shutout.
Bryant stranded 12 on the day, while Southern Connecticut left just four on the basepaths.
The Bulldogs stay at home for their next matchup, a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against league rival Merrimack College. First pitch is 12:00 p.m. at the Bryant Baseball Complex.
--
Score by
Innings R
H E
-------------------------------------------
Southern Conn. State 000 010 000 - 1 5
3
Bryant University... 000 000
000 - 0 6 0
-------------------------------------------
Win - Cox (3-3). Loss - Almeida (2-3). Save - Connors (3).
