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Chris Hook Photo
Chris Hook Photo
Posted: Mar 29, 2019

Bryant begins NEC play on opening day

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team kicks off Northeast Conference play during opening day on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 against Saint Francis U and Robert Morris. The Bulldogs will also be teaming up with Mission Stadium and spreading awareness about multiple sclerosis in support of former Bulldog, Gianna Pizzano, and her mother, Tracie.

THE PARTICULARS

Saturday
Opponent: Saint Francis U
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
Time: GM1 – 1 p.m. | GM 2 – 3 p.m.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats GM1 | Sidearm Stats GM2

Sunday
Opponent: Robert Morris
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
Time: GM1 – 12 p.m. | GM2 – 2 p.m.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats GM1 | Sidearm Stats GM2 

MISSION STADIUM

This weekend, Bryant will be spreading awareness for multiple sclerosis. Feel free to join the players in wearing orange, the national awareness color for MS, as the Bulldogs will be sporting orange belts, socks and bracelets. Bryant will also be selling the rubber bracelets for $2 each in support of former Bulldog, Gianna Pizzano and her mother Tracie, who lives with MS. All proceeds will go to Mission Stadium to help continue the fight against MS.  

SERIES HISTORY

  • The all-time series with the Red Flash is tied at nine apiece as Saint Francis U has taken the last six meetings against the Bulldogs.
  • Bryant swept Robert Morris last season during a doubleheader in Moon Township, Pa. Despite the sweep, the Colonials still hold the series advantage, 12-7.  

SCOUTING THE RED FLASH

  • Saint Francis U enters the weekend with an 11-19 overall record. The Red Flash also opens NEC play with the Bulldogs and has yet to lose a conference game since 2016.
  • They lead the conference and are among the top 10 in the country for most triples per game, averaging 0.43. Five members of the Red Flash have posted two so far this season, including senior Hayley Norton. Norton leads the team with a .418 batting average and a .755 slugging percentage. She leads the NEC with 41 hits and nine home runs so far on the season.
  • On the defensive side, Christina Clark leads Saint Francis with 28 strikeouts in 68.2 innings pitched. Outside of the circle, the Red Flash is error-prone, committing 51 errors already this season and are at the bottom of the conference with a .940 fielding percentage.

SCOUTING THE COLONIALS

  • Robert Morris posts a 6-21 overall record before kicking of conference play with a doubleheader at Central Connecticut on Saturday.
  • Freshman pitcher Katie Gasvoda leads the conference with two saves so far this season after pitching a total of 34.1 innings and striking out 13 batters. The Colonials rely on another freshman pitcher, Dana Vatakis, who has pitched in 70+ innings and accounts for four of Robert Morris's six wins. She leads the team with 24 strikeouts and posts a 4.38 era.
  • Abrielle McCartney leads the team with a .295 batting average and a .309 OBP.

BULLDOGS NOTES AND NOTABLES

  • Freshman Toni Camarillo (Corona, Calif.) currently leads the Bulldogs with a .232 batting average and is listed as the third hardest player to strikeout in the NEC. Camarillo posts 19 hits in 82 at bats and has only been struck out four times in her career.
  • Senior Kaleigh Goulart (Marion, Mass.) leads the Black and Gold with 10 RBIs.
  • Sarah McKeveny (Bohemia, N.Y.) holds the most wins of the Bulldog pitchers with two, but Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) leads with 30 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched. Junior Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) has tossed 55 innings and accumulated 24 strikeouts and only 15 walks. She also leads the Bulldogs with a 3.05 era.

UP NEXT
 After the weekend, the Bulldogs take a break from NEC play by hosting a 4 p.m. single game against UMass Lowell on Wednesday, April 3.