Paul pitches Bulldogs past USF in 4-1 victory

TAMPA, Fla. – Logan Paul (Shaker Heights, Ohio) pitched all seven innings and allowed just one run as the Bryant University softball team topped the University of South Florida Bulls, 4-1, on Sunday morning in Tampa.

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant 4, USF 1

Records: Bryant (4-5), USF (7-10)
Location: USF Softball Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
W|L: Logan Paul (3-0) | Nicole Doyle (0-3)

COACH LOTITO'S COMMENTS

"Logan did an amazing job on the mound keeping hitters off-balance," Bryant head coach Shayne Lotito said. "She did great getting ahead and pitched a great game against a really tough USF team."

"Our defense played unreal behind her. Sabrina [Crane] had a couple diving catches in the outfield. Our outfield as a whole did a great job running balls down and making plays. Our infield did a great job, as well, and played a clean game behind her.

"Offensively, Robyn [Ukegawa]'s home run was huge and really sparked our offense. Gabi [Ermish] and KG [Kaleigh Goulart] each had big hits, as well. We just continue to get better every day."

KEY MOMENT

• With the bases loaded and the Bulldogs leading 2-1, sophomore Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) singled to center field to score junior Kaleigh Goulart (Marion, Mass.) and freshman Morgan Powell (Murrieta, Calif.). The hit put the Bulldogs up, 4-1, and give Paul all of the run support she would need.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USF's Astin Donovan tripled with two outs in the first inning, but Paul forced the next batter to ground out to end the threat.
• Senior catcher Robyn Ukegawa (Carlsbad, Calif.) lofted a home run in the second inning to start off the scoring for the Bulldogs.
• The Bulls tied the game in the home half of the inning when Lindsey DeVitt doubled to right-center field and scored Cassidy Boyle.
• In the third, Bryant scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead, which the Bulldogs controlled the rest of the game. With one out, freshman Sabrina Crane (Newtown, Pa.) and Powell each drew five-pitch walks. Goulart doubled to score Crane from second base and set up the offense for Ermish's two-run single the following at-bat.

STATS

• Paul allowed just six hits and one run over her seven innings of work. She struck out a batter and did not allow a walk. She threw just 78 pitches in the victory.
• The pitcher retired USF in order in the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh innings.
• Four Bulldogs recorded hits on Sunday. Goulart's double was the only knock for extra bases.

GAME NOTES

• Bryant is now 2-0 all-time against USF after the Bulldogs swept the Bulls over the weekend.

• The Black and Gold earned four wins faster this season than in each of the previous two years.
• Ukegawa's home run was her first since her freshman season in 2015 when she hit four long balls on the year.
• Powell and Goulart each hit .400 or better over the USF Tournament. Powell finished 4-for-9 (.444) at the plate, while Goulart went 6-for-15 (.400) with a pair of stolen bases.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs are off until March 9 when Bryant heads to Eugene, Oregon, for the 2018 Oregon Duck Invitational hosted by the University of Oregon. The Black and Gold meet Montana on Friday for Bryant's first game of the invite.