Bulldogs drop two on final day of Mustang Classic

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team wrapped up play at the Mustang Classic with a pair of tough losses to San Diego, 11-0, and Cal Poly, 2-1, Sunday afternoon in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

GAME 1
In the first leg on Sunday's double header, the Bulldogs mustered only two hits on the offense end as San Diego ran away with an 11-0 win in five innings.

The Toreros jumped on Bryant starter Logan Paul (Shaker Heights, Ohio) right from the start, scoring four runs on three hits in the top of the first, before adding five more in the fourth and two in the fifth to solidify the lopsided victory.

Junior Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) and sophomore Amanda DiPietrantonio (Manalapan, N.J.) each picked up base hits in the game, serving as Bryant's only two base runners on the day.

Paul allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in an inning in the circle while junior Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) allowed seven runs (three earned) on 10 hits and a walk in four innings of relief.

GAME 2
In Sunday's second game and tournament finale, the Bulldogs tightened up the D and took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth against host Cal Poly, but the Mustang's scored in the fifth and sixth to squeak out a 2-1 victory.

After two innings of scoreless play, the Black and Gold got on the board thanks to an Ogata RBI double to left field, scoring sophomore Lauren Keast (Holliston, Mass.) who reached base on a fielder's choice.

Junior Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) nearly took care of the rest, holding the Mustangs to just three hits through the first four innings of action, however in the fifth, Cal Poly's Emily Ceccacci knotted the score with a two-out RBI double to left center. The Mustang's would go on to score the eventual game-winning run an inning later when Stephanie Howard took advantage of a Bryant miscue on a sacrifice bunt by Ashley Torino.

In the top of the seventh, Ogata and Bottino laced back-to-back singles with just one out but the Black and Gold were unable to push the equalizer across the plate, falling 2-1.

In six innings in the circle, Madsen allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out three. Ogata and senior Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the way on offense, combining for four of Bryant's eight total hits.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs continue a busy week in California with a doubleheader at UC Riverside on Tuesday before venturing to San Diego for games vs. UNC Greensboro and San Diego on Wednesday.