Goulart's three-run homer in extra innings isn't enough; Colonials sweep Bulldogs in NEC opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite sophomore Kaleigh Goulart's (Marion, Mass.) three-run homer in extra innings, Robert Morris held on to win game two, 6-5, of the doubleheader, sweeping the Bulldogs on Monday at Conaty Park.

GAME ONE

After a scoreless two innings, the Colonials (9-21, 3-0 NEC) got going in the top of the third, following Taryn Miller's homer to left center. Taylor Bartlow followed with a double to the left field fence, before Jordan Garganus moved her to third with a bunt down the left field line. With two outs and runners on second and third, McCartney singled through the left side, plating Garganus and Bartlow for the visitors' 3-0 lead after three.

 The Bulldogs (5-23, 0-1) made a strong push in the bottom of the fourth, but came up empty. Senior Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) took first after being hit by a pitch. Freshman Nicole Zukowski (Medford, N.Y.) followed with a single up the middle, before both runners were stranded on base.

The Colonials took a 5-0 lead in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs off three hits in the frame. With one out and runners on second and third, Natalie Higgins singled through the right side, allowing Stacey Capp to score unearned. Briana Bunner followed with a two RBI single up the middle to push the Colonials' lead to five, 5-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs loaded the bases, after junior Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) reached on an error by Kaitlyn Ellzy, freshman Marianna Politis (Arcadia, Calif.) singled to second and Zukowski was walk. With two outs, the Colonials got out of the pinch when Olivia Lorusso cleanly fielded junior Robyn Ukegawa's (Carlsbad, Calif.) knock down the left field line, tagging third to end the sixth.

In the following inning, the Bulldogs got on the board, pulling within four, after senior Lauren Keast (Holliston, Mass.) scored off a wild pitch by Ellzy, while classmate Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.) advanced to third. Goulart then grounded out to the shortstop, but Haas was able to score from third, cutting the margin to three, 5-2. Despite Ellzy walking Politis, the Colonials came out on top, 5-2, recording the final out off Burger's ground out to third.

Sophomore Brandi Burgin (Santa Clarita, Calif.) recorded the loss in the circle, allowing five runs off 10 hits, while fanning two batters in five innings. Ellzy moved to 4-3 on the season, after letting up two runs off four hits, while throwing seven strikeouts.

Zukowski led the Bulldogs offensively, going 2-for-2, as the Black and Gold finished with four hits. Miller also went 2-for-2 for the Colonials, as four different players recorded two hits, while the team totaled 11 in the contest.

GAME TWO

Goulart recorded the Bulldogs (5-24, 0-2 NEC) first hit in game two in the bottom of the second, doubling to right field, but the Black and Gold came up empty in the inning as two runners were left on base.

The Colonials (10-21, 4-0) went down in order in three of the first four innings, but managed to find a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. With one out and a runner on second, Kristen Pray doubled to right center, plating Higgins from second, before advancing to third on the throw home.

The Bulldogs found their first lead of the day in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs off two hits in the frame. Senior Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.) led off for the Bulldogs, taking first after being hit by a pitch. Freshman Tiffany Bell (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) advanced Haas on a sacrifice bunt, before Monroe knocked an RBI double to right center to tie the game, 1-1. Politis followed with a RBI single through the right side, giving the Bryant the 2-1 lead after five innings.

After a scoreless sixth, the Colonials tied the game, 2-2, following Miller's BRI single to left center with one out. RMU loaded the bases after freshman Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) walked Bartlow with one out, but the rookie and her fellow Bulldogs escaped the inning after the Colonials popped up to the infield for the final two outs of the frame, forcing the game into extra innings.

The Colonials used the momentum from the game-tying score in the seventh, putting together four runs off five hits in the top of the eighth to take a commanding 6-2 lead. With one out and two runners on, Bunner hit a two-BRI single through the right to give the visitors the 4-2 edge.

Following the two runs, sophomore Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) checked in for Ermish on the mound. With two outs and two runners on, Bartlow singled up the middle, scoring Bunner from second for the 5-2 RMU advantage. Gurganus singled to the pitcher to load the bases and the Colonials took advantage, as Capp hit one into the dirt at Gouart, who fumbled the fielding and threw it low to Zukowski at first. As a result, Capp was ruled safe at first and Miller scored unearned from third, extending RMU's lead to four, 6-2.

Starring down a four-run deficit, Zukowski led the Bulldogs off with a single to right field in the bottom of the eighth, before advancing to second on a passed ball. Laura Coulter walked Ukegawa, before Goulart drilled the no-out, three-RBI homer to center field, pulling Bryant within one, 6-5.

Ellzy, who saw some time in the first game, checked back into the game for Coulter. Despite Haas' single up the middle, Ellzy struck out Keast and Bell swinging, before catching Monroe looking for the final three outs of the game, as the visitors managed to hang on, 6-5, in eight innings.

Ellzy's performance in the final inning earned her the save in the contest, while Coulter recorded the win, allowing three runs off four hits in 2.2 innings pitched. Ermish moved to 3-6 on the season, allowing five runs off seven hits, while totaling four strikeouts in 7.1 innings.

Goulart, Bell and Zukowski all went 2-for-4 as the Bulldogs finished with 10 hits in the game. Higgins' 2-for-3 mark led the Colonials, as they totaled nine in the contest.

The Bulldogs continue their home-stint, taking on Boston College on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Conaty Park.