Bulldogs fall to Richmond, 10-8, Friday

RICHMOND, Va. – The Bryant University baseball team built a 7-3 lead but the University of Richmond scored seven runs in the late innings to earn a 10-8 victory on Friday afternoon at Pitt Field.

Bryant (8-7) built its lead with three home runs but five walks and a hit batter opened the door for the Spiders to score four times in the sixth and three times in the seventh.

Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Titus (Stafford, Conn.), senior Nick Angelini (Bedford, N.H.) and junior Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) all homered for the Black and Gold. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) added two hits.

Game Information
Richmond 10, Bryant 8
Records: Bryant (8-7), Richmond (9-4)
Location: Pitt Field (Richmond, Va.)
W|L|S: Dalton Light (1-0) | John MacDonald (0-2) | Layne Mooney (2)

Coach Owens' Comments

"We jumped out to a 5-0 lead which should be enough to win any game but it wasn't. We had two outs and no one on in the sixth and we fell apart on the mound. We issued 11 free passes and struck out 10 times which is not acceptable. We did some things very well but we didn't play a complete game. We'll see if we can rebound for two 10:00 a.m. games in a row and win our fourth weekend out of five."

Key Moments

• Trailing 7-3 in the sixth, Richmond was able to tie the game on a three-run home run from Jordan Schulefand.  

How it Happened

• Bryant used the long ball to score the first five runs of the game. In the first, junior James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) and freshman Jake Gustin (Peabody, Mass.) opened the game with back-to-back singles before Titus lifted a three-run shot over the right field wall.
• In the second, sophomore Shane Kelly (Sewell, N.J.) singled to open the inning and Angelini followed with a line drive over the center-field fence to make it 5-0.
• Richmond cut into the deficit with three runs in the bottom of the second. Three-straight singles brought home the first run and Daniel Little scored the second run with a single three batters later. The final run scored on a fielder's choice ground ball.  
• The Black and Gold extended their lead to four with another long ball in the fifth. Facing a lefty reliever, Wright fouled off two two-strike pitches before hammering a hanging breaking ball over the right-center field fence to make it 7-3.
• Richmond erased the deficit with a two-out rally in the sixth. Back-to-back two-out walks kept the inning alive and Little delivered an RBI single to right center. Jordan Schulefand then tied it with a three-run home run to left field.  
• The Spiders then took the lead in the bottom of the seventh. A HBP, single and a walk loaded the bases, and Justin Meyer scored a run with a single to right field. Two bases-loaded walks made it 10-7.
• Bryant scored its final run in the 9th as Gustin walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly from Ward.

Stats

• Sophomore Tyler Mattison (Fort Ann, N.Y.) was one out away from a quality start before allowing three runs in the sixth. He allowed six runs on six hits, walked four and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings.
• Freshman John MacDonald (Stamford, Conn.) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on two hits in the seventh.
• Sophomore Matthew Stansky (Douglas, Mass.) recorded two outs.
• Freshmen Mike Randazzo (Fairfield, Conn.) and Jackson Harrigan (Acton, Mass.) both made their collegiate debuts in the 8th. Harrigan struck out the only batter he faced.
• Titus went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run.
• Ward finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
• Wright went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk.
• Angelini had two hits, a home run, two RBI and a stolen base.

Notes and Notables

• Bryant falls to 2-2 all-time against Richmond.
• Bryant is now 4-2 on its current eight-game spring break trip.
• Bryant has now hit eight home runs this week and 17 on the year.
• Nine of Bryant's last 10 games have been decided by two runs or less.
• Angelini's home run was the 14th of his career, putting him in sole possession of ninth in DI program history.
• Angelini also moved into 8th place in DI program history with 175 career hits. He's also two RBI shy of 100 in his career.
• Titus' home run was his second of the year and the 10th of his career. Both of his home runs have been to the opposite field this season.
• Wright's home run was his second of the week, third of the year and the 12th of his career.
• Wright has driven in eight runs in the last three games.
• Ward now has 10 hits during his four-game hitting streak.  

Up Next

Bryant continues play in the Spider Invitational on Saturday when it faces fellow New England foe Quinnipiac. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.