David Silverman Photography
David Silverman Photography
Posted: May 13, 2022

Petosa, Phinney rally Bryant past CCSU, 6-4

Pitching

Win: Christian Allegretti (3-2)
Loss: Luke Garofalo (2-1)
Batting
Central Connecticut
2B: Dan Covino; Sam Loda
3B: none
HR: none
Bryant
2B: Jackson Phinney; John Tuccillo
3B: none
HR: Shane Kelly; Carmine Petosa; Jackson Phinney
Full stats

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Carmine Petosa and Jackson Phinney hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the eighth to rally the Bryant University baseball team to a 6-4 victory over Central Connecticut on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 23-23 overall and 13-9 in the Northeast Conference, a game behind the Blue Devils for second place.

Trailing 4-3 in the eighth, Petosa drilled a two-run home run to right field to give the Bulldogs the lead. Two pitches later, Phinney hit a solo home run to dead center to make it 6-4. Petosa finished 2-for-3 with his fourth home run and Phinney had two hits, including his sixth home run. Shane Kelly also homered, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI. 

Collin Lowe allowed three runs over 6.0 innings, while Christian Allegretti allowed one run over the final 3.0 innings to earn the win. 

Game Information
Bryant 6, Central Connecticut 4
Records: Bryant 23-23, 13-9 NEC | CCSU 24-14, 14-8 NEC
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Christian Allegretti (3-2) | Luke Garofalo (2-1)

Key Moment

  • Petosa gave Bryant a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run home run.                                         

How it Happened

  • CCSU grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning. The Blue Devils loaded the bases with a single and two hit batters, and Elliot Good knocked in two with a two-out, two-strike single to left center.
  • It remained 2-0 thanks to a great throw from CCSU right fielder Michael Torniero as he threw out Jackson Phinney trying to score in the third.
  • Bryant finally broke through in the fourth. Alex Lane led off with a sharp single and Derek Smith walked to put the first two on. Kelly then squared around to bunt on a 1-1 pitch but pulled back and laced it over the left field wall for a three-run home run. CCSU ended the Bryant rally with a 6-4-3 double play.
  • The Blue Devils quickly tied the game, capitalizing on a two-out walk in the fifth. Jay Devito walked with two outs the bases empty and came around to score on a double from Dan Covino.
  • CCSU grabbed the lead in the top of the eighth on a two-out RBI single from Pasqualini.
  • Bryant rallied in the bottom of the eighth against the league's top reliever. Kelly started things with a one-out single and Petosa followed by launching an 0-1 pitch deep over the right field wall for a two-run home run, giving Bryant 5-4 lead. Phinney then went back-to-back, crushing an 0-1 pitch to dead center to make it 6-4.  

Stats and Game Notes

  • Bryant and CCSU have now split four games this year. The Bulldogs have won the first game in both series. 
  • Lowe allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out six.
  • Allegretti earned the win, allowing one run on six hits over 3.0 innings of relief. He's now 3-2 on the year.
  • Kelly finished 3-for-4 with a three-run home run and two runs scored.
  • Kelly has posted back-to-back three-hit games and has homered twice in the last four games. 
  • Petosa went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run.
  • Petosa now has four home runs on the year. 
  • Phinney went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. 
  • Phinney's home run was his sixth of the year. 
  • Petosa and Phinney join John Tuccillo and Matt Woods as Bulldogs to hit back-to-back home runs this year. 
  • Matt Woods picked up two more hits, going 2-for-4. 
  • Woods now has 22 multi-hit games this year. 

Up Next
Bryant and CCSU continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.