Bryant explodes for series victory with 25-13 win

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team posted a pair of nine-run innings on its way to a DI program record 25 runs on Saturday afternoon at Conaty Park. The offensive explosion led to a 25-13 victory over Merrimack.

With the win, the Black and Gold claimed the weekend series. Bryant scored its 25 runs on 25 hits, scoring nine runs in the sixth and nine in the eighth to pull away.

Matt Woods tied a DI single-game record with five hits, going 5-for-6 with three runs scored, while Alex Lane was 4-for-5 with a home run, six RBI and four runs scored. John Tuccillo had four hits and tied the DI single-game record with five runs scored. Logan Allen had four hits, four RBI and three runs scored. Jake Gustin, Michael Stellato and Matt Smith all had two hits and two RBI.    

On the mound, John MacDonald allowed four runs on five hits and struck out two over 5.0 innings to earn the win.

Game Information
Bryant 25, Merrimack 13
Records: Bryant 14-18, 5-7 NEC | Merrimack 10-20-1, 5-7 NEC
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: John MacDonald (2-2) |

Key Moment

• Bryant broke the game open with a nine-run sixth and a nine-run eighth inning.                               

How it Happened

• Bryant opened the scoring with three runs in the first. Lane drove in the first run of the game with single and Allen plated two with a bloop double down the right field line.
• The Warriors tied the game with three runs in the top of the third. A solo home run, an RBI triple and a single tied the game.
• Bryant retook the lead on a single from Derek Smith in the third inning.
• Merrimack retied the game on a solo home run.
• Lane broke the 4-4 tie with a bloop single to center in the fifth. A wild pitch scored the second run and Damaurys Rodriguez singled home the third run.
• After Merrimack answered with a run, Bryant scored nine times in the sixth. Tuccillo, Lane, Rodriguez and Allen all collected RBI singles before Matt Smith doubled home two. Woods and Jake Gustin capped the inning with RBI singles.
• Merrimack scored the next four runs but the Bulldogs put the game away with a nine-run eighth. Bryant hit three home runs in the inning as Allen (solo), Lane (three-run) and James Myler (three-run) all left the yard.   

Stats and Game Notes

• Bryant's 25 runs are a DI single-game programm record. 
• Bryant is now 8-1 against Merrimack at the DI level.
• The Bulldogs won the series with the victory.  
• Woods finished 5-for-6 with three runs. His five hits tied the single-game record.
• Tuccillo, Lane and Allen all had four hits. Tuccillo tied the single-game record with five runs scored, while Lane drove in six.
• Lane's home run was his team-leading ninth of the year.
• Gustin and Matt Smith had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
• Rodriguez had two hits and two RBI.
• Myler hit a three-run home run for his second home run of the week.
• MacDonald earned the win with 5.0 innings of four-run ball.  

Up Next
Bryant opens a five-game week on Tuesday when it welcomes UMass Lowell to Conaty Park. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.