Ermish dazzles but Bulldogs fall to No. 5 Arizona, 5-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University softball freshman Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) allowed just one run over four innings but the Bulldogs couldn't pull off the upset, falling 5-0 to No. 5 University of Arizona on Sunday in the final game of the Loyola Marymount Tournament.

Three Bulldog (2-13) combined to limit the Wildcats (24-1) to just five runs on 11 hits on the afternoon. Bryant went 1-4 at the tournament, defeating CSU Bakersfield on Saturday.

On Sunday, Ermish scattered five hits, walked two and struck out two against one of the best teams in the country. After giving up a home run to leadoff the game, Ermish settled down to hold Arizona scoreless for the next two innings. Ermish then came back into the game to toss a scoreless seventh.

Mandie Perez's leadoff home run was all the Wildcats needed, but they were able to add two runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth. Dejah Mulipola stroked a two-run double in the fourth, and Perez and Mulipola hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth.

Taylor McQuillin struck out 12 and allowed just two hits in the complete-game shutout for Arizona.

Bryant had its chances to score but stranded a runner on third in the second and left two runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Bulldogs continue their spring break trip on Tuesday when they play a doubleheader in Riverside, Calif., against Iona and UC Riverside. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EST.