Bryant sweeps Robert Morris in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team swept Robert Morris this afternoon in Smithfield during a regular-season doubleheader. The Bulldogs fought their way back in game one, topping the Colonials, 7-4, before taking game two in a convincing 6-1 decision. 

GAME INFORMATION
Bryant 7, Robert Morris 4
Bryant 6, Robert Morris 1
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Gabrielle Ermish (3-8) | Vatakis (5-9)
W|L|S: Colby Norris (2-7) | Vatakis (5-10)

COACH FRENCH'S COMMENTS

"We took a big step forward today in being able to overcome an early deficit in game one, and we were able to grab the momentum and never give it back to them," said head coach Nick French. "It was a great effort all the way around from pitching, defense and offense."

KEY MOMENT GM1

• After taking the lead with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, the Bulldogs scored the next six runs to take back the advantage. Bryant produced three in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of singles from Toni Camarillo (Corona, Calif.) and Tiffany Bell (Egg Harbor City, N.J.), and a double from Jenna Cali (Franklinville, N.J.).

HOW IT HAPPENED GM1

• The Colonials started the game with a leadoff single to get on base. The runner was brought home when Natalie Higgins sent a double to left center for the first run of the game, 1-0.
• The Bulldogs started fighting back in the third inning as Cali ripped the ball to left center for a triple. Bell popped the ball into left field to tie the game, 1-1.
• Briana Bunner notched a two-run homer in the top of the fourth after Robert Morris reached on a fielder's choice to bring the lead back to the Colonials.
• Bryant immediately responded after Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) tallied a base hit, and Jane Owens (Scituate, R.I.) entered the game as the pinch runner for Ermish. Owens showed off her speed by advancing to second after Jess Gradillas moved her with a ground out to third base. Camarillo singled right up the middle to bring in Owens to put the Bulldogs within one, 3-2.
• Cali and Bell continued to produce runs with hits through the left side. Cali notched a double to bring in Camarillo, before Bell brought home Cali with a single, 4-3.
• The Bulldogs got three more in the bottom of the fifth. With Kaleigh Goulart (Marion, Mass.) and Alison Tomaino on second and third, Ermish found the gap in left field for a double that scored both runners. Camarillo brought Ermish in with a base hit to center field. Camarillo tried making it all the way around the bases during the play but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning, 7-3.  
• A solo home run in the sixth inning was the final run of the game for Robert Morris.

STATS GM1

• Ermish led the way at the plate and in the circle. The junior batted two-for-two with a double and two RBIs. In the circle, Ermish earned the win while tossing the first five innings. She struck out four, without giving up any walks, and allowed six hits.
• Colby Norris (Toanoa, Va.) relieved Ermish in the last 1.2 innings, striking out one batter while not allowing Robert Morris anymore hits or runs.
• Bell was three-for-four during game one, producing one run.
• Camarillo and Cali each went two-for-three at the plate. Camarillo produced two runs while Cali brought in one.
• Morgan Powell (Murrieta, Calif.) and Goulart also tallied one hit apiece during four plate appearances.
• Bryant outhit Robert Morris, 11-6, in an errorless game for both teams.

KEY MOMENT GM2

• The Bulldogs produced all of the offense that it needed in the first inning as Nicole Zukowski (Medford, N.Y.) started things off with an RBI double down the right field line, followed by an error committed by the Colonials that scored Goulart.  

HOW IT HAPPENED GM2

• Bryant wasted no time in game two as the Bulldogs scored the first four runs in the first inning. Powell and Goulart were placed on first and second with a pair of singles. Zukowski brought Powell home with a line drive down the right field line, 1-0.
• With two outs and two on base, Gradillas hit a hard ball to the second basemen, who bobbled the ball, allowing Gradillas to reach first. Goulart took advantage of the error and stormed home. Marianna Politis  (Arcadia, Calif.)followed up the play with a single to left field, to bring in Zukowski, 3-0.
• The scoring continued in the first inning when Politis and Gradillas each took an extra base after a passed ball situation to place themselves on second and third. Camarillo notched her first hit of game two with a single through the left side to score Gradillas.
• Robert Morris got on the board when Abrielle McCartney singled to left field and was moved to second after a sacrifice bunt. Bunner then tallied a base hit to bring in the Colonial's lone run of the game, 4-1.
• In the fourth inning, Dakota Bilodeau (Milford, N.H.) entered the game to pinch run for Gradillas after she hit a single past the second basemen. Bilodeau stole second before moving to third after a passed ball. Politis brought her in with a high sac fly to right field, 5-1.
• Ermish scored the last run of the day with her first solo home run over the year, sending the ball right over the center field fence, 6-1.

STATS GM2

• Powell and Goulart shared similar stat lines during game two, batting one-for-two, scoring once and striking out once.
• Zukowski was one-for-three at the plate with one RBI and one double.
• Ermish notched a home run for her lone hit during game two.
• Gradillas batted one-for-three as well producing one run.
• Politis went one-for-two, leading the Bulldogs with two RBIs.
• Camarillo went one-for-three with one RBI and one stolen base.
• Norris pitched an entire seven innings, striking out four, walking one, and giving up just five hits.
• The Bulldogs outhit the Colonials, 7-5.

GAME NOTES

• Ermish's home run is her first of the year.
• Zukowski now leads the Bulldogs with two triples so far on the year.
• This is Bryant's first sweep of the season, sweeping Robert Morris last season in Moon Township. The Bulldogs are now 9-12 all-time against the Colonials.

UP NEXT
Bryant takes a quick break from NEC play when the Bulldogs host UMass Lowell for a single game this Wednesday, April 3 at 4 p.m.