Burger homers in the fourth, but Bulldogs fall short, 2-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team was edged out, 2-1, by Campbell in the final game of the series, giving the Camels a sweep of the Bulldogs in the Black and Gold's opening weekend of the North Carolina tour.

The Camels (10-9) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. With one out and runners on second and third, Karsen Leonhardt singled up the middle to drive Melissa Tullar in for the Camel's first score. The home team scored their second run after freshman Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) walked Rachel McCollum with the bases loaded, allowing Leonhardt to come home for the 2-0 advantage. Norris got the Bulldogs (0-12) out of the jam in the bottom of the second, striking out Madison Herrig looking for end the inning.

The strikeout was one of Norris's seven on the day, as she pitched all six innings for the Bulldogs, allowing only two runs off six hits.

The Bulldogs pulled within one in the top of the fourth with two outs when junior Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) hit her first homer of the year, hammering it to left center. Burger's hit was one of the Bulldogs three hits on the day, proving to be too little to defeat the Camels, as they fell, 2-1.

Courtney Roberts earned the win on the mound, pitching five innings for the Camels and recording three strikeouts. Katie Baker came in as relief, striking out three Bulldogs of her own to record the save in her two innings on the mound.

The Bulldogs turn their attention next to UNC Greensboro, as they take on the Spartans in a doubleheader on Tuesday.