Bryant completes weekend sweep of UAlbany

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Matt Smith broke a 5-5 tie with an RBI infield single in the bottom of the eighth and then threw out a runner at home to end the game as the Bryant University baseball team completed a weekend sweep of UAlbany with a 7-5 victory at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 19-16 overall and 9-6 in America East play. Bryant has won each of its last five games.

The Bulldogs trailed 5-3 heading to the bottom of the seventh before Derek Smith's two-out, two-run double tied the game. Bryant then loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth and Matt Smith was able to break the tie. Smith then threw out a runner at home for the final out of the game.

Derek Smith finished with three hits and three RBI, while Matt Smith had two hits and an RBI. Zac Zyons scored a pair of runs.

Game Information
Bryant 7, UAlbany 5
Records: Bryant 19-16, 9-6 | UAlbany 4-26, 1-14
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Stansky (1-1) | Quinn

Key Moments

• Derek Smith tied the game with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh.
• Matt Smith broke the tie with an infield single in the bottom of the eighth.   

How it Happened

• Bryant jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the third. Zac Zyons tripled and scored on a ground out from Jake Gustin. Derek Smith followed with a long solo home run onto the putting green beyond the left field wall.
• UAlbany got a run back on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth.
• Bryant answered back in the bottom of the inning as Carmine Petosa scored Lewis Barnum from first with a double into the right field corner.
• The Great Danes then took advantage of two Bryant errors to score four runs and take a 5-3 lead in the seventh. A home run made it 3-2 and then an infield error allowed the tying run to score. Bryant then appeared to have an inning-ending double play but the ball got away at first to score a run. A single made it 5-3.
• Bryant was able to tie the game with a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh. A throwing error with two outs extended the inning and Gustin singled to put two on. Smith then crushed a two-run double to the base of the left field wall to tie the score.
• Matthew Stansky came out in the top of the eighth and struck out the side to keep the momentum on Bryant's side.
• In the bottom of the eighth, Petosa fell behind 1-2 but worked a leadoff walk. After fouling off two bunts, James Myler knocked a single through the right side. A walk loaded the bases and Matt Smith hit a soft chopper over the mound that bounced away from the shortstop to score a run. Zyons followed with a sac fly to center to make it 7-5.
• UAlbany attempted to rally in the ninth but Matt Smith threw out a runner at the plate for the final out of the game.

Inside the Box Score

• Ken Turner allowed just one run on two hits over 5.2 innings. He walked three and struck out six.
• Chase Jeter allowed three runs (one earned) in 0.2 innings of relief.
• Matthew Stansky pitched 2.2 innings of relief. He allowed an unearned run on four hits, walked one and struck out three.
• Derek Smith finished 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI.
• Matt Smith posted two hits and drove in a run.
• Zyons tripled, drove in a run and scored twice.

Game Notes

• Bryant improves to 6-0 all-time against UAlbany.
• The Bulldogs picked up their second America East sweep of the year.
• Bryant improves to 9-1 at home this year. The Bulldogs are 6-1 on their current eight-game homestand.
• Gustin extended his hitting streak to 11 games and his on-base to 14 games.
• Turner posted a season high with six strikeouts.
• Smith's home run was his sixth of the season.
• Smith finished 7-for-13 with six RBI and four runs scored in the series.
• Zyons finished 4-for-8 with four RBI and seven runs scored in the series.

Up Next
Bryant wraps up its eight-game homestand on Tuesday afternoon when it welcomes Quinnipiac to town. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.