Bulldogs drop home-opening doubleheader to Huskies

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After playing UConn tough in the first game, losing 2-1, the Bryant University softball team fell to the Huskies, 9-0, in game two of the home-opening doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.

GAME ONE

The Bulldogs (5-21) played strong in the first of two games against the Huskies (10-14), holding the visitors to only one run through five innings, before ultimately falling, 2-1, in the home-opening series.

In the top of the second with one out and the bases loaded, freshman Bianca Mastropietro (Bronx, N.Y.) attempted to catch Valerie Sadowl off base, but her throw to third was low and away, allowing Sadowl to score unearned.

Freshman Helaina Michaud (Phoenixville, Pa.) saved the Bulldogs from what was beginning to look like a Jill Stockley no hitter when she singled off a bunt in the bottom of the fifth, but she was left on base as the Black and Gold remained scoreless in the first five frames.

The Huskies pushed their lead to two, 2-0, in the top of the sixth after Chloe Kerns homered to left center.

The Bulldogs battled in the final two innings, pulling within one, 2-1, in the bottom of the sixth. With one out and no runners on, junior Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) started things off for Bryant, doubling to right center. One out later, Marianna Politis singled to center, plating Monroe from second to make it a one-score game, 2-1.

In the top of the seventh, the Huskies went down in order, as sophomore Brandi Burgin (Santa Clarita, Calif.) caught Carli Cutler looking for the final out.

In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs continued to press offensively, when Jessica Gradillas (Nogales, Ariz.) doubled down the left field line with one out. Pinch hitting for Michaud, Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) singled to third base, advancing Gradillas to third.

With the tying run on third, the Huskies' Katie Koshes checked in for Stockley in the circle. It was the substitution on the mound that saved the Huskies the game, as Koshes struck out senior Lauren Keast (Holliston, Mass.) and sophomore Kaleigh Goulart (Marion, Mass.) swinging for the final two outs of the game.

Subsequently, Koshes was awarded the save and Stockley the win, as Stockley finished the game with four strikeouts. Burgin recorded the loss, allowing two runs off six hits, while fanning three batters in seven innings.

The Bulldogs finished the game with five hits, as Ermish went 1-for-1 and Michaud 1-for-2. The Huskies recorded one more hit, as Kiwi McDaniel's 2-for-2 mark led UConn.

GAME TWO

The Huskies were electric in game two of the doubleheader, topping the Bulldogs, 9-0, in five innings.

UConn scored in four-of-five innings, totaling a game-high three runs in both the first and the fourth.

In the first with one out and runners on second and third, Chloe Kerns reached on a fielder's choice after placing one between first and second, allowing Cutler to score from third. After Kerns stole second, Sadowl bunted to bring Kelli Bates in, before Taylor Smith's RBI single made it a 3-0 game.

The Huskies tacked on one more run in the second and two in the third, before scoring another three runs in the fourth.

Leading 6-0 at the top of the fourth with two outs and runners on first and second, Carissa Brizzi drilled a triple to the right field fence, allowing Sadowl and McDaniel to score. Ally Hernandez pinch hit for Ryne Nakama, knocking a RBI single through the right side to extend the visitors' lead to nine, 9-0.

In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs tried to hang on, as Ermish was walked with two outs. Sophomore Jenna Cali (  Franklinville, N.J.) checked in for Michaud, but Cali went down swinging as the Huskies sealed the 9-0 win in game two.

Koshes did what Stockley almost did in game one, pitching a no hitter in game two, as the righty moved to 4-3 on the season. Kayla Doty closed the game, throwing the final strikeout. Sophomore Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) dropped to 0-9 in the circle, allowing nine runs off 14 hits, while throwing one strikeout in five innings.

The Bulldogs went 0-for-14, while the Huskies went 14-for-29. Bates, Sadowl and McDaniel all went 2-for-3.

The Bulldogs return to home action on Saturday, when they open Northeast Conference play with a doubleheader against Robert Morris, beginning at 1 p.m.