Bulldogs take series behind Karinchak's 3-hit shutout

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman right-hander James Karinchak (Walden, N.Y.) struck out 10 in a three-hit shutout to lead the Bryant University baseball team past Towson, 7-0, in game two of their doubleheader on Monday afternoon at Harford Community College.

With the victory, the Bulldogs (2-7) earn their first series win of the season. The Tigers fall to 1-9 on the season.

A tough-luck loser in each of his first two collegiate appearances, Karinchak dominated on Monday afternoon. He allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out a career-high 10 batters. Both walks came in the seventh inning and Karinchak was able to put the finishing touches on his shutout with a strikeout to strand the bases loaded. He struck out at least one batter in all seven innings, including a pair in the first, third and sixth innings.

Bryant gave him all the offensive support he would need with a four-run first inning. The Bulldogs didn't register a hit in the inning but took advantage of three Tiger errors. A hit batter and back-to-back walks loaded the bases with no outs and the first run came home as Robby Rinn's (Warwick, R.I.) ground ball to short was misplayed. Jordan Mountford (Guelph, Ont.) then came around to score on a balk and the second fielding error of the inning by the shortstop scored Matt Albanese (East Haddam, Conn.). Rinn and Brandon Bingel (Peabody, Mass.) then executed a perfect double steal, with Rinn taking home to make it 4-0.

The Black and Gold put the finishing touches on a strong series at the plate with a three-run fourth inning. AJ Zarozny (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Mountford hit back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches to make it 6-0, and Albanese doubled and scored on a John Mullen (Walpole, Mass.) sac fly to complete the scoring.

Bryant's top three hitters – Zarozny, Mountford and Albanese – combined to go 4-for-9 with six runs scored and two RBI. Each player scored twice, while Albanese was one of two Bulldogs to finish with multiple hits. Zane Smith (Ilion, N.Y.) joined him with a pair, including a double.

The Bulldogs will now head south to North Carolina for a midweek contest against Duke. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.