Gould, Smith lead Bryant past High Point Saturday

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Graduate student Kevin Gould tossed 5.1 scoreless innings of relief and second-year freshman Derek Smith had three hits and three runs scored as the Bryant University baseball team defeated High Point, 7-6, on Saturday afternoon at Williard Stadium.

The Bulldogs trailed 4-3 heading into the eighth inning but scored once in the eighth to tie it and then scored three times in the top of the ninth. High Point scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth and had the tying run on base but third-year sophomore Jackson Harrigan recorded a strikeout to end the game. 

Gould, a transfer from Endicott, dazzled in his Bryant debut, surrendering just two hits and striking out five over 5.1 scoreless innings of relief. A day after driving in both Bryant runs on Opening Day, Smith went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Third-year sophomore Jake Gustin and graduate student Liam McGill each drove in a pair of runs.  

Game Information
Bryant 7, High Point 6
Records: Bryant (2-0), High Point (0-2)
Location: Truist Point (High Point, N.C.)
W|L|S: Kevin Gould (1-0) | Mason Kearney (0-1) | Jackson Harrigan (1)

Key Moments

• Trailing in the eighth, Smith and Gustin singled to start the inning and advanced on a fielder's choice. McGill followed with a sac fly to tie the game. 
• In the ninth, Gustin (BB), McGill (HBP) and Shane Kelly (BB) all earned free passes with the bases loaded to bring home three runs.          

How it Happened

• Bryant jumped out of the gates on Saturday, scoring twice in the first. Smith singled on the first pitch of the game and scored on double from Gustin. A wild pitch would bring home Gustin during the next at-bat. 
• Smith was in the middle of things again in the third, doubling home third-year sophomore Matt Woods. 
• High Point responded with four runs in the bottom of the third. A fielder's choice and a ground out scored the first two runs before back-to-back RBI knocks from Evan Bergman and Cameron Irvine made it 4-3.
• Gould would get the final out of the third and go on to allow just three baserunners over the next five innings. 
• In the eighth, Smith and Gustin opened things with back-to-back singles before McGill tied the game with a sac fly. 
• In the ninth, second-year freshman Tommy DiTullio and Woods singled with one out. Back-to-back walks brought home the first run. A pitch hit McGill two batters later to force in a run and Kelly worked a walk to make it 7-4. 
• With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, a dropped infield popup allowed two runs to score. Harrigan buckled down, though, striking out pinch-hitter Blake Sutton to end the game. 

Stats

• High Point outhit Bryant, 10-8. 
• Both Bryant and High Point committed two errors in the game. 
• Gould tossed 5.1 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out five. 
• Harrigan surrendered two unearned runs in the ninth but still earned the save. 
• Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored. 
• Gustin finished 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. 
• McGill drove in a pair of runs. 
• Woods had a hit and scored twice. 

Notes and Notables

• Bryant has won its first two games for the first time since 2016.  
• Graduate student Vito Morgese started on the mound for the Bulldogs. It was his first appearance in 656 days after recovering from Tommy John Surgery.
• Woods has reached safely in six-straight dating back to last year.
• Smith has three hits, three RBI and three runs scored in the first two games of the series.   
• Harrigan earned his first-career save on Saturday. 

Up Next

Bryant and High Point wrap up their series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.