Historic day for Titus, Bulldogs Wednesday at Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Titus (Stafford, Conn.) had five hits, seven RBI and five runs scored as the Bryant University baseball team scored a Division I program-record 23 runs in a 23-3 victory over Hartford on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (10-8) scored seven times in the first, five times in the third and six more times in the fourth to break the previous record of 22 that had stood since 2009. Bryant finished the game with eight doubles, a triple, two home runs and every starter had a hit and scored at least one run in the contest.

Titus put together the greatest offensive performance in Bryant's Division I history as he tied the DI program record for hits and RBI and became the first player in DI program history to score five times in a game. He's the first player in program history to do all three in the same game.

Junior Gaby Cruz (Miami, Fla.) finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and four RBI, while freshman Jake Gustin (Peabody, Mass.) added four RBI and three runs scored. Seniors Nick Angelini (Bedford, N.H.) and Tyler Panno (Rivervale, N.J.) drove in three runs each, while redshirt sophomore Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) chipped in three hits, two walks and four runs scored.  

Game Information
Bryant 23, Hartford 3
Records: Bryant (10-8), Hartford (2-11)
Location: Fiondella Field (West Hartford, Conn.)
W|L|S: Craig Lacey (1-0) | Tyler Coppo (0-1)

Coach Owens' Comments

"It was a really productive day for us all throughout our lineup. A lot of guys had great days but Ryan Ward, Jimmy Titus and Gaby Cruz highlighted the day. The pitchers did a really solid job of throwing strikes and letting the defense play behind them for the most part. It was a pretty complete game and we are looking forward to getting home and starting conference play this weekend."

Key Moment

• With two runs across already, Cruz and Panno delivered back-to-back extra-base hits to plate four runs and expand Bryant's lead to 6-0 in the first.      

How it Happened

• Bryant put the game away with a seven-run first inning. Back-to-back walks opened the game before Titus singled through the left side to score the first run. Hartford nearly got out of the inning but Gustin drew a two-out walk to force in a run. Cruz followed with a two-run double down the third base line and Panno tripled to the base of the center field wall to score two more. The final run of the inning scored on a passed ball.
• Doubles from junior Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) and Gustin produced a run for the Black and Gold in the second.
• Bryant extended its lead with five more runs in the third. Titus opened the scoring with a two-run single to left field and Angelini followed with an RBI double. Cruz capped the inning with a two-run triple to right center to make it 13-0.
• In the fourth, Angelini hit a ground-rule double to center to bring in two runs and Gustin followed with a two-run single to center. The final two runs came in on a ground out and a bloop single.
• Titus extended Bryant's lead with home runs in the fifth and sixth innings. He hit a leadoff home run in the fifth and then clubbed a three-run shot in the sixth.    

Stats

• Titus finished 5-for-5 with two home runs, seven RBI and five runs scored.
• Ward went 3-for-5 with a double, two walks and four runs scored.
• Sophomore Shane Kelly (Sewell, N.J.) had two hits and two runs scored.
• Wright went 2-for-5 with a double.
• Angelini finished with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored.
• Gustin went 2-for-4 with two walks, four RBI and three runs scored.
• Cruz finished 4-for-5 with two doubles a triple, four RBI and two runs scored.
• Panno tripled and drove in three runs.
• Sophomore Tyler Schoff (Lee Center, N.Y.) allowed two runs on two hits, walked two and struck out three over three innings.
• Senior Craig Lacey (Westfield, Mass.) tossed a scoreless fourth inning that came to an end with a 6-3 double play.
• Redshirt junior Jack Owens (Scituate, R.I.) also induced a double play in the fifth as he worked the Bulldogs out of trouble.
• Sophomore Will Treuel (Wolfeboro, N.H.) pitched a scoreless sixth.
• Junior Jack Ipsen (Eatontown, N.J.) struck out two in a perfect seventh.
• Freshman Jackson Harrigan (Acton, Mass.) pitched a perfect eighth.
• Redshirt junior Mason Palmieri (Lincoln, R.I.) tossed a scoreless ninth.   

Notes and Notables

• Bryant is now 7-3 all-time against Hartford. The Bulldogs and Hawks will play a three-game series at Conaty Park in April.
• Bryant's 23 runs scored are a DI program record. It broke the previous record of 22 that was set in 2009 and 2012.
• The Bulldogs' 24 hits are tied for the second-most in DI program history. Bryant posted 24 hits in last year's NEC Tournament against Mount St. Mary's.
• Bryant's eight doubles are its most since clubbing nine last year at LIU Brooklyn and Fairleigh Dickinson.
• Titus tied his career high and the DI program record with five hits.
• Titus became the first player in DI program history to score five runs in a game.
• Titus tied the DI program record with seven RBI. He is the third player to do so, joining Nick Campbell and Jeff Vigurs in 2009.
• Titus also posted his second-career multi-homer game. He also hit two home runs as a freshman at Liberty.
• Titus now has four home runs this season and 12 in his career.
• Ward has hit safely in seven-straight games and has 15 hits during the streak.
• Ward finished with three hits for the third time this year and the 15th time in his career.
• Ward also tied his career high with four runs scored.
• Panno's triple was the 11th of his career, tying him with Mickey Ryan for the fifth-most in program history.
• Panno drove in three runs for the first time this year and the fifth time in his career. He now has 18 multi-RBI games in his career.
• Cruz hit multiple doubles in a game for the second time in his career. His career high is three and came last year at LIU Brooklyn.
• Cruz's four RBI are a career high. He now has 11 multi-RBI games in his career.
• Cruz posted his second four-hit game of the season, tying his career-high.
• Ciliento walked a career-high three times and now leads the Bulldogs with 15 on the year.
• Wright clubbed his team-leading sixth double of the year.
• Gustin posted his third multi-RBI game of the year.
• Gustin set career highs for RBI (4) and runs scored (3).  
• Angelini has now had a hit and a run scored in each of Bryant's last four games.
• Angelini posted multiple doubles in a game for the first time in his career.
• Jack Owens has now worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings of relief this year.  

Up Next

Bryant plays its first home games of the season this weekend as it opens Northeast Conference play against Central Connecticut. The three-game series begins Friday at 3:00 p.m.