Bulldogs take on Murray St., No.4 Auburn and Georgia St. at Wilson/DeMarini Classic

GAME NOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University softball team opens up the Wilson/DeMarini Classic at Auburn University with a doubleheader against Murray State, beginning at 10 a.m. The Bulldogs will then face No. 4 Auburn on Saturday at 3 p.m., before closing the classic out with Georgia State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

ON THE AIR
The Bulldogs will appear on ESPN's SEC Network against No. 4 Auburn on Saturday, March 5 at 3 p.m. 

SCOUTING MURRAY ST., #4 AUBURN AND GEORGIA ST.
Murray State (4-5) enters the weekend on a three-game losing streak, falling most recently to Northwestern State in all three contests. The Racers found their largest win of the season against Loyola Chicago, outscoring the Ramblers, 8-1, at the KSU Kickoff Classic. The Bulldogs open up tournament play on Saturday against No. 4 Auburn (15-1), who has proven they can compete at home, sitting at a perfect 10-0 at Jane B. Moore Field. The hosting Tigers have lost just one battle to No. 23 James Madison in a one-run decision, 3-2, at the Michele Smith Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. Georgia State (10-7) enters the tournament on a five-game winning streak, including huge wins over Eastern Michigan (11-0) and Villanova (15-2). Most recently the Pounce edged out Kennesaw State, 3-2, at home.

CITRUS CLASSIC RECAP
The Bulldogs began the season 0-5 after the season opening tournament in Orlando, Fla. Bryant saw tough competition at the Citrus Classic, including No. 23 Notre Dame, who defeated the Black and Gold, 7-0. The Bulldogs saw three close finishes, dropping to North Florida, East Carolina and Syracuse by one run, respectively.

ONE RUN
The Bulldogs were handed three one-point losses at the Citrus Classic, including two in which they took the lead first. Bryant had a one point lead through the fifth inning, before giving up two runs to North Florida, losing, 8-7, in their 2016 season opener. East Carolina took a 1-0 edge over the Bulldogs at the top of the fourth, before holding Bryant scoreless through all seven innings, allowing the Bulldogs only one hit in the game. After five innings of play, the Black and Gold lead Syracuse, 2-0, before the Orange scored the tying runs at the top of the sixth. Both defenses held strong, forcing extra innings, where Syracuse capitalized to hone in the game-winner at the top of the eighth. The Orange were able to hold onto the lead, handing Bryant their third one-point deficit of the weekend, 3-2.

NEW KIDS IN TOWN
All six freshman saw playing time for the Black and Gold in the season opening tournament. Red-shirt freshman and true freshman Brandi Burgin and Colby Norris each saw time on the mound. Burgin made her first career appearance vs. North Florida, pitching 4.0 innings, where she allowed eight hits and three runs. Norris recorded two starts and three appearances on the mound, recording her only loss against East Carolina, where she pitched all seven innings. Norris boasts a 1.80 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts on the season. Jessica Gradillas has showed she can be effective for the Bulldogs, doubling against Syracuse, while recording a putout and two assists at third base. Second baseman Kaleigh Goulart connected on 1-of-2 appearances at bat, hitting a runner home for her first-career RBI in the season opener against North Florida. Goulart also recorded a run, three putouts and three assists in the contest.

IN-AND-OUT(FIELD) BURGER
Returning in the outfield is reigning Northeast Conference Most Improved Player and First Teamer Taylor Burger. Burger had a standout sophomore season, where she led the team with a .350 batting average, along with 35 hits, 11 home runs, seven doubles, two triples, 23 runs scored and 30 RBI. The junior homered in each of the final six games of 2015, while posting a .947 fielding percentage. Burger was the only Bulldog to be named to the All-NEC First Team last season. The right fielder continues to perform this season, doubling for a two-run RBI in the season opener against North Florida. In the same game the sophomore recorded a season-best two putouts. Against Syracuse, Burger connected on two of her three appearances at bat, while adding a run in the bottom of the fourth.

MAD SKILL
Senior Elle Madsen is back on the mound for the Bulldogs and looking to make even more of a mark on the program than she has, in the last three years. After posting 96 strikeouts last season, Madsen has added five more to her 301 career strikeouts after the first five games of the 2016 season. The senior recorded four of the five strikeouts in the eight-inning loss to Syracuse, 3-2. The pitcher was a force at the plate last season, recording team highs in home runs (12), RBI (36) and triples (2) last season. Madsen also managed 23 runs, four doubles and 42 hits. This year, Madsen has started off with three hits and two runs in the season-opener against North Florida.

BEHIND THE MASK
Sophomore Robyn Ukegawa returns behind home plate after starting the majority of last season at the catcher's position (41 games). Ukegawa led the team with 98 total chances, including 85 putouts. The sophomore recorded 13 assists and a pair of double plays. Ukegawa caught runners stealing on six occasions, three of which occurred in conference play. The California native hit four home runs in her 22 at-bats. The sophomore has received 3-of-4 starts behind home plate, recording a season-high three assists against Syracuse. In the season opener against North Florida, Ukegawa posted two runs and a single hit in her three at bats.

BAT-TINO
Senior Haley Bottino continues to be a versatile player for the Bulldogs, seeing time on the mound and at first base. Bottino recorded a career-high 10 putouts against North Florida in the 2016 season-opener. Through the first five games, the senior racked up 32 total putouts and three assists, while only committing a single error. Batting cleanup against North Florida, Bottino recorded one run in the first inning and recorded two RBI.

YOUNG INFIELD
Amongst those returning to the Bulldog dugout is a group of young, yet extremely talented infielders, including All-Northeast Conference Second Teamer Hayley Bottino. The senior collected 38 hits, 29 runs, six home runs and 27 RBI in 49 games. Bottino handled 80 chances and posted a .900 fielding percentage. Joining Bottino in the lineup is sophomore shortstop Rachel Monroe. Monroe's 2015 season was cut short due to injury, but last year's opening day starter homered in her first-career game and finished with five RBI in 27 games. New to the squad's infield this year are freshmen Kaleigh Goulart and Jessica Gradillas. The Bulldogs also return senior Liana Ogata, who appeared in 42 games at second base last season, posting a .941 fielding percentage. The 2015 Second Team All-NEC selection recorded 43 hits, 31 runs and 11 RBI. The Black and Gold graduated Jessica Benacquista, who started 39 games at first base, with-now sophomore Maritza Martinez playing the remaining 10. In just 45 at-bats, six of Martinez's 11 hits went for extra bases, including four home runs and a pair of doubles.