Bulldogs drop tight affair with High Point

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Bryant University baseball team fell to High Point, 7-6, on Saturday afternoon at Williard Stadium.

Bryant has dropped the first two games of the weekend series. The series finale is set for Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Derek Smith finished 3-for-4, while Gavin Noriega, Brian Schaub and Zach DeMattio all hit their first home runs as Bulldogs. Ken Turner tossed 4.0 innings of one-run ball in his first start. He struck out five.

Game Information
High Point 7, Bryant 6
Records: Bryant 0-2 | High Point 2-0
Location: Williard Stadium (High Point, N.C.)
W|L|S: Patrick Libby (1-0) | Liam LeVangie (0-1) | Connor Smith (1)

Key Moment

• The Panthers took a 4-2 lead with a three-run fifth inning.             

How it Happened

• High Point struck first as Brett Ahalt homered two batters into the game.
• DeMattio tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the third.
• Carmine Petosa then scored Smith with a double to give Bryant a 2-1 lead in the fourth.
• In the fifth, a walk and a single opened the inning before a double tied the game. A wild pitch on a strikeout scored a run and the third run of the inning scored on a ground out.
• Schaub brought Bryant back within one with a solo shot.
• High Point extended its lead with a solo home run in the sixth and a pair of runs in the eighth.
• In the ninth, the Bulldogs put two on and Noriega blasted a three-run shot to right center to make it 7-6. A walk would put the tying run on base before a fly out ended the rally.

Stats and Game Notes

• Bryant outhit High Point, 9-7.
• The Bulldogs hit three home runs in the game.
• Turner allowed one run on two hits, walked two and struck out five over 4.0 innings.
• LeVangie suffered the loss, allowing four runs on three hits over 2.0 innings.
• Brett Wichrowski tossed 2.0 innings of relief, striking out three.
• Smith finished 3-for-4 with a double.
• DeMattio, Schaub and Noriega all homered. The home runs were the first in their Bryant careers.  

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