Bulldogs face one-run deficit in both doubleheader games against Colonials, Sunday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team dropped both games of the doubleheader against Robert Morris by one run, losing 1-0 in game one and 4-3 in an eight-inning game two on the road on Sunday afternoon.

Game One

After a scoreless four innings that saw only one hit from both teams combined, the Colonials (15-28, 5-3 NEC) took a 1-0 lead over the Bulldogs (6-33, 5-7) after the leadoff batter Haileigh Stocks homered to left field in the bottom of the fifth.

In the top of the seventh, junior Lauren Keast (Holliston, Mass.) was walked, moved to second off a Jill Staley (Lake Katrine, N.Y.) sacrifice bunt and then advanced to third on a wild pitch, placing the Bulldogs tying run in scoring position. With two outs senior Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) was walked, setting the go ahead runner on first, but the Bulldogs' opportunity came to an end as the following batter grounded out to short, sealing the Colonials' 1-0 victory.

Madsen received the loss on the mound, allowing one run off two hits, while Laura Coulter earned her third win of the season in the circle, letting up no runs off two hits.

Game Two

After one inning of play, the Bulldogs and Colonials drew even, 1-1, as senior Hayley Bottino's (Canyon Country, Calif.) single to left center drove Madsen in for the Bryant score and Kristen Gabelt homered down the left field line for RMU's tying score in the bottom of the inning.

The Black and Gold took a two-run lead, 3-1, in the top of the third when Bottino drilled the two RBI single to left center, helping the senior finish 2-for-4 with three RBI on the day.

In the bottom of the fourth with two outs, Ashley Gerhart homered to centerfield to pull the hosts within one, 3-2. Both team remained scoreless through the next two innings, but a Bryant slipup in the bottom of the seventh helped the Colonials tie the game, 3-3, forcing the contest into extra innings.

Madsen led off for the Bulldogs in the top of the eighth, before RMU's defense held strong, finding three-straight outs, as they escaped the inning allowing just one hit.  

In the bottom of the eighth, freshman Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) checked in on the mound for the Bulldogs. With one out, Jordan Gurganus singled to short, before advancing to second off Lauren Hackett's ground out to second. Gabelt once again connected, this time doubling to right center, plating Gurganus for the Colonials' game-winning score as they took game two, 4-3, in eight innings.

Norris's eighth inning appearance resulted in a loss on the mound as the freshman allowed one run off two hits. Kaitlin Ellzy recorded her ninth win, pitching a no, no in 1.0 inning in the circle.