Gasper, Ward honored by NEC

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Mickey Gasper (Merrimack, N.H.) and freshman Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) have been named the Northeast Conference Player and Co-Rookie of the Week, respectively, the league announced on Monday afternoon.

Gasper and Ward take home the honors after helping the Bulldogs split a four-game series against New Mexico State over the weekend. It is the first career honor for both players.

Gasper went 9-for-17 (.529) with a triple, home run, three RBI, four runs scored and a .579 OBP in the first four games of the year. He opened the season with a pair of hits on Friday, before collecting three hits and scoring three runs in the first game on Saturday. Gasper went back-to-back with Ward in the fifth and then tripled off the left-center wall in the sixth. He added a single in game two and wrapped up his weekend with three hits and an RBI on Sunday.

Ward made a big splash in his Bryant debut, going 5-for-19 (.263) with two home runs, six RBI, three runs scored and he didn't strikeout in 20 plate appearances. He picked up a single and an RBI in his collegiate debut and then hit a pair of solo home runs in the first game on Saturday, finishing with four RBI. Ward is the first Bryant freshman since 2010 (Kevin Brown) to post a multi-homer game. He added two more hits and an RBI in the nightcap.

In addition, junior James Karinchak (Walden, N.Y.) was named a NEC Prime Performer for his performance. Karinchak allowed one run on two hits, walked one and struck out 12 over five innings in the season opener. It was the second time in his career he has struck out 10+ batters in a five-inning start.