Noriega homers twice as Bryant completes sweep of UAlbany

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gavin Noriega homered twice and Tyler Horvat twirled 7.0 innings of one-run ball as the Bryant baseball team completed a weekend sweep of UAlbany with an 11-1 victory in game two of Sunday's doubleheader at Varsity Field.

The Bulldogs improve to 19-10 overall and 8-1 in America East with the victory. Bryant has won each of its last eight games and is 18-3 since starting the year 1-7. The Black and Gold went 4-0 on the week, outscoring its opponents 53-13.

Having homered just once in his last 18 games, Noriega hit two monstrous home runs to right center in the series finale on Sunday. He finished 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI. Zac Zyons (2RBI) and Matt Smith (2-5, 3RBI) also finished with multiple RBI for the Bulldogs.

Horvat continued his Sunday dominance, scattering five hits and allowing one unearned run over 7.0 innings. He walked two and struck out five. Horvat has now allowed two runs or less in each of his last four starts.

Game Information
Bryant 11, UAlbany 1
Records: Bryant 19-10, 8-1 AE | UAlbany 4-19, 3-5 AE
Location: Varsity Field (Albany, N.Y.)
W|L|S: Tyler Horvat (3-2) | Banner (1-1)

Key Moments

• Noriega homered to tie the game and Smith singled home two as Bryant took the lead with a three-run third. It was the first of three big innings for the Bulldogs.  

How it Happened

• UAlbany scored first in the series finale, plating an unearned run in the first. A wild throw on a slow roller put a runner on second and a single to left center brought the runner home.
• Bryant grabbed the lead with three runs in the third. Noriega opened the inning with a long home run to deep right center, tying the game at 1-1. The next two batters walked and a sac bunt moved them into scoring position. Matt Smith followed with a check swing, two-run single into center top make it 3-1.
• The Bulldogs extended their lead with four runs in the sixth. A HBP, walk and a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs. Zyons followed with a two-run single to right field. The final two runs scored as Noriega's fly ball to right center was dropped.
• Bryant added four more runs in the seventh. Noriega started the scoring with a long two-run home run that cleared the road in right center. Daniel Baruch (RBI double) and Smith (RBI single) would plate the final two runs of the inning.

Inside the Box Score

• Bryant outhit UAlbany, 9-5.
• The Bulldogs committed three errors and UAlbany made five.
• Bryant turned two double plays on the afternoon.
• Horvat allowed one unearned run on five hits over 7.0 innings. He walked two and struck out five.
• Landon White tossed a scoreless eighth and Jared Burrows tossed a scoreless ninth.
• Noriega homered twice and drove in four runs.
• Smith went 2-for-5 with three RBI.
• Brandyn Durand and Carmine Petosa each walked twice and scored twice.
• Chris Einemann picked up two hits and scored twice.

Game Notes

• Bryant improves to 9-0 all-time vs UAlbany.
• The Bulldogs are now 18-3 after starting the season 1-7. Bryant has won seven straight games.
• Bryant is 8-1 in AE play. It is Bryant's best start to league play since 2021 when it won 13-of-14 to start NEC play.
• Bryant leads the America East with 39 home runs. The Bulldogs have hit 16 home runs in nine AE games.
• Horvat has now allowed two runs or less in each of his last four starts. He has worked at least seven innings in all four outings.
• Horvat has allowed just four runs (three earned) in 23.0 innings vs AE teams.
• Petosa extended his on-base streak to 29 games this season and 32 dating back to last season.
• Petosa finished the week 6-of-14 with three home runs, 11 RBI and nine runs scored.
• Zyons has posted two or more RBI in each of his last six games.
• Zyons went 9-for-20 with nine RBI in four games this week.
• Noriega now leads the team with 10 home runs. He is just the ninth player in DI program history to hit 10+ home runs in a single season.
• Bryant pitching allowed just 17 hits in 33.0 innings this week.  

Up Next
Bryant wraps up its five-game road trip on Tuesday afternoon at UConn. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m.