April 29, 2008

BRYANT FALLS TO DIVISION I NORTHEASTERN, 5-3, TUESDAY EVENING DESPITE LATE-INNING RUNS

Boxscore

BOSTON -- Despite errorless defensive play and taking Division I Northeastern University for seven hits, the Bryant University baseball team fell for just the fifth time this month, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Huskies Tuesday evening.

The Bulldogs (36-15) got on the board first with a one-run, no hit third frame. A walk boarded Dave Muscatello (Hopkinton, Mass.) to lead off the inning while a one-out error of a Dylan Stone (Portsmouth, RI) ball put runners on the corners for a Nick Campbell (Raynham, Mass.) fielder's choice ball that put Bryant up, 1-0.

But the Huskies (17-20-1) came back in the fourth to take a 2-1 edge when designated hitter Alex Fox took a Luke Cowan (Houston, Tex.) offering for a two-run double to right field.

But Northeastern went up big in the fifth, pounding out three more runs on just one hit for a 5-1 advantage it would take to the final inning.

Cowan issued free passes to the first three Huskies before being replaced in favor of Tom Baker (West Brookfield, Mass.), who walked his first batter to score the first of the trio of runs. Two batters later, Fox took another two-RBI swing to score the home team's final two runs of the day, singling down the right field line.

The Bulldogs found themselves with rightfielder Taylor Ferguson (Charlton, Mass.) 90 feet from home with one out in the top of the ninth, put there by a single, error and a wild pitch, and Muscatello notched his second hit of the day to score Ferguson with a single to centerf field.

Stone doubled to left to score Muscatello and even the deficit to 5-3, but it would not be enough, as closer Sheldon MacDonald got Pat O'Connor (Mattapoisett, Mass.) to ground out to end the game, stranding Campbell and Stone at the corners. 

Bryant ued five pitchers in the affair, with starter Kevin Cobb (Acton, Mass.) tossing just two innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout. Cowan got the loss, moving to 2-2 on the year and letting up five runs on two hits and five walks in two innings of work. Charly Bashara got the win for the Huskies.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by Muscatello's 2-for-3 day with one RBI and two runs scored. Campbell went 1-for-4 with an RBI, extending his current team-best hitting streak to 10 games.

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, April 30, when they play their second Division I opponent in as many days. Bryant will host the Bears of Brown University in its final regular-season home game Wednesday at the Bryant Baseball Complex. First pitch is at 3:30 p.m.