Bulldogs are downed by Panthers, 4-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In its final game of the Citrus Classic 2, Bryant University softball suffered a 4-0 loss to Florida International on Sunday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

The Panthers (15-6) scored all four of their runs in the first two innings, including an explosive three-run second inning. The Bulldogs' (1-9) defense was sharp to start the game, after junior Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) turned the double play, fielding the pop up and catching the runner out at first. Three batters later, with the bases loaded and two outs, Jocelin Soto was hit by red-shirt sophomore Logan Paul's (Shaker Heights, Ohio) pitch, allowing Stephanie Texeira to score unearned.

The Panthers tacked on three more in the top of the second. Ashley Leon reached first on a fielding error by the Bulldogs and Araceli Peralta was freed up to run in for the Panthers first score of the second inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Texeira singled through the right side, plating Jackie Schoff from third to increase the margin to three. After Kasandra Castle reached first on a fielder's choice, she stole second and Ashley Leon stole home, giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs found their first and only hit of the game in the bottom of the sixth, when junior Gianna Pizzano (Saugus, Mass.) reached on fielder's choice. The Bulldogs' one-hit performance was in part to Shannon Saile's eight strikeouts, as she moved to 3-5 on the season. Paul recorded the loss in the circle, allowing four runs off seven hits in 2.1 innings. Sophomore Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) checked in on the mound for the final 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits, while fanning two batters. Schoff and Texeira both finished 2-for-4, while Brianna Bahadue went 2-for-3.

The Bulldogs will head to California for the next two weekends, facing competition at the LMU Tournament, Aggie Invitational and the CSUN Tournament.