Kelly, Gustin team up to give Klosterman first-career win

DECATUR, Ga. – Junior Shane Kelly (Sewell, N.J.) broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI triple in the top of the ninth to lift the Bryant University baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Georgia State on Friday afternoon.

The victory is Bryant's first of the season and the first for head coach Ryan Klosterman.

With the game tied in the top of the ninth, sophomore Jake Gustin (Peabody, Mass.) doubled and came around to score as Kelly tripled off the fence in left center. Gustin and Kelly each finished 2-for-4, with Gustin clubbing a pair of doubles and scoring twice.

Junior Tyler Mattison (Fort Ann, N.Y.) delivered his 12th-straight start of three runs or less, while sophomore Jackson Harrigan (Acton, Mass.) and junior Matthew Stansky (Douglas, Mass.) combined to allow to face the minimum over the final three innings.   

Game Information
Bryant 4, Georgia State 3
Records: Bryant (1-4), Georgia State (3-2)
Location: GSU Baseball Complex (Decatur, Ga.)
W|L|S: Jackson Harrigan (1-0) | Cameron Jones (1-1) | Matthew Stansky (1)

Coach Klosterman's Comments

"The guys played well tonight. The third base coach made some bad decisions that cost us early but offensively we continued to put pressure on the defense. We had baserunners in scoring position in almost every inning but couldn't get the big hit until late when Shane came through in the clutch. TMatt was awesome. He faced some tough luck but kept it close, went six innings and gave us a chance. Harrigan got us to the ninth and Stansky did what he does. Awesome game-changing play by freshman catcher Alex Lane in the ninth to throw out the tying run at second. I'm proud of the guys for picking each other up the entire night and moving on to the next pitch."

Key Moment

• Gustin doubled to open the ninth and came around to score as Kelly roped a triple to left center.
• In the bottom of the ninth, freshman Alex Lane (Andover, Mass.) threw out the potential tying run at second base for the second out.

How it Happened

• Georgia State opened the scoring on Friday, plating a run in the bottom of the first. Ryan Glass reached on an error to start the game and came around to score on a two-out single from Josh Smith.
• Bryant battled back, scoring single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the fourth, a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases before Bryan Hart (Franklin, Mass.) was hit by a pitch to score the first run.
• In the fifth, Gustin doubled to start things, took third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI ground out from Gaby Cruz (Miami, Fla.). The Bulldogs had a chance to score a second run but James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) was thrown out at the plate for the final out.
• Bryant made it 3-1 in the sixth as Lane walked and came around to score on a two-out error.
• The Panthers responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. A hit by pitch and a walk put the tying runs on and a safety squeeze brought home the first run. GSU tied the game on a two-out single from Tanner Gallman.
• Bryant broke the deadlock in the top of the ninth. Gustin doubled to start the inning and came around to score on Kelly's triple.
• In the bottom of the ninth, Lane through out the potential tying run before Stansky ended the game with a strikeout.

Stats

• GSU outhit Bryant, 6-4.
• Three of Bryant's four hits went for extra-bases.
• Bryant stole four bases in the game.
• Mattison allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, walked one and struck out five over six innings.
• Harrigan retired all six batters he faced, striking out two, to earn the victory.
• Stansky earned the save with a scoreless ninth.   
• Gustin finished 2-for-4 with two doubles, a HBP, a stolen base and two runs scored.
• Ciliento walked twice and stole two bases.
• Kelly went 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and a run scored.
• Lane reached base twice with two walks and scored a run.

Notes and Notables

• Bryant and Georgia State were meeting for the first time in program history.
• The victory is the first for head coach Ryan Klosterman. 
• Mattison has allowed three runs or less in each of his last 12 starts dating back to last year.
• Harrigan earned his second career victory.
• Stansky earned his third-career save.
• Kelly's triple was the second of his career and his first since Mar. 16, 2018.
• Gustin posted multiple doubles for the first time in his career.

Up Next

The Bulldogs and Panthers play the middle game of their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.