BULLDOG SOFTBALL GETS READY FOR FALL BALL; TAKES ON URI SATURDAY AT THE BRYANT SOFTBALL COMPLEX (4PM); TRAVELS TO PROVIDENCE NEXT WEEK FOR DOUBLE-HEADER

October 2, 2008

BULLDOG SOFTBALL GETS READY FOR FALL BALL; TAKES ON URI TODAY AT THE BRYANT SOFTBALL COMPLEX (4PM); TRAVELS TO PROVIDENCE SATURDAY FOR DOUBLE-HEADER

SMITHFIELD, RI-The Bryant University softball team begins its Division I journey today, as

The Bulldogs begin Division I play today after racking up 30-wins in their final season in Division II.

they take on URI at the Bryant Softball Complex at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs will play three fall games starting with one today, followed by a double-header on Saturday hosted by Providence College against Boston College at 12 p.m. and Providence at 2 p.m.

Bryant is coming off its first 30-win season in program history, guided by head coach Lisa-Ann Wallace. The team has experienced a tremendous amount of success at the Division II level, including conference championships in 2005 and 2006, and qualifying for the last five NCAA Northeast regionals. The Bulldogs start Division I play this season, and will become full members of the Northeast Conference in the 2012 season.

The URI Rams finished with a 14-38 record last season, finishing last in the Atlantic-10 Conference. They enter the 2008-2009 season with a new head coach in Erin Layton. Boston College finished the 2008 season with a 32-31 record, good for sixth in the ACC, while Providence ended with a record of 25-25-2, finishing eight in the Big East.  

The Bulldogs will play today at 4 p.m. at the Bryant Softball Complex against URI.

The squad will head down to Providence for a double-header against Boston College at noon and Providence College at 2 p.m.