Bulldogs earn 2 come from behind victories on Friday

HAMPTON, VA. – The Bryant University softball team defeated Hampton and Coppin State during the first day of the Battle at the Bay tournament.

Aleix Hudson hit a two-run homerun in the first game, and Hannah Cochran had the clutch gene hitting a bases clearing three-RBI double in the top of the seventh, enroute to the game one victory.

Grace McKillop threw a seven-strikeout complete game in her debut, as the Black and Gold scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Bulldogs are 2-0 for the first time since 2015.

Location: Lady Pirates Softball Field (Hampton, VA.)
(Gm1) Bryant 7, Hampton 6
(Gm2) Bryant 4, Coppin State 2 
(Gm1) W | L | S: Caroline Paolantonio (1-0) | Taryn Bennet (1-1)
(Gm2) W | L | S: Grace McKillop (1-0) | V. Carrizosa (0-1)

Coach Bell's Comments 

"Great day to be a Bulldog! Excited for my team and the fight they showed in both games. Caroline and Grace had a heck of the day in the circle, which kept us in both ball games. It was also great to see the offense show their fight in late innings when we were down. Huge team wins for the black and gold"!

 Key Moment (Gm1)

• With two outs in the top of the seventh, Cochran hit a bases-clearing double to give the Bulldogs the lead.

How it Happened (Gm1)

• Makenna Coleman reached first on an error to begin the top of the first. Hudson was walked, and then the Bulldogs executed the double steal with runners on the corners to gain a 1-0 lead.
• Alexis Clancy and Sam Rohwer hit back-to-back singles, which led to Hudson scoring on a passed ball (2-0).
• The Pirates would score one in the bottom of the first on a Black and Gold error.
• Hampton tallied three runs on a single and a passed ball during the bottom of the second inning (4-2).
• Cochran hit a lead0ff double in the top of the fourth, followed by a walk drawn by Olyvia Smith. The Bulldogs would line out into a double play, leaving Smith on the bases. Then, with two outs, Hudson launched a two-run HR to deep center, tying the game at 4.
• Hampton countered by scoring a run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning (5-4).
• In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pirates hit an RBI single, making the score 6-4.
• Megan Marcel began the seventh inning with a double to left-center, forcing a Hampton pitching change. Clancy and Rohwer hit back-to-back singles, loading the bases with no outs.
• The Bulldogs then had two strikeouts, putting Cochran up to bat with two outs. Cochran then launched a double over the center-fielders head, giving Bryant a lead (7-6).
• Caroline Paolantonio forced a 1-2-3 inning to secure the opening game victory for Bryant.

 Stats (Gm1)

• Hudson hit her 12^th career HR and had two RBIs.
• Cochran went 2-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.
• Smith went 2-2 and stole a base.
• Marcel had a double.
• Clancy and Rohwer both went 2-4 from the plate.
• Kenney pitched four innings, striking out four.
• Palantonio pitched three innings of relief, striking out two and holding the Eagles to one run.

Key Moment (Gm2)

• The Bulldogs scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth.

How it Happened (GM2)

• In the top of the third inning, the Eagles scored two runs on a single (2-0).
• Cochran reached on an error to begin the bottom of the sixth inning. Smith then hit a bunt single, advancing Cochran to second.
• Coleman then laid down a sac bunt, cutting the deficit to one (2-1).
• The Bulldogs then executed a double steal, with the shortstop recording a throwing error to tie the game at two.
• Marcel would then place runners on second and third. Clancy then executed an RBI single bunt (3-2) and stole second on the following at-bat.
• Laniya Lewis then tallied the fourth and final run on a sacrifice fly to right field en route to a 4-2 Bulldogs victory.

Stats (Gm2)

• McKillop threw a seven-strikeout complete game in her Bryant debut.
• Hudson and Clancy had a hit and RBI.
• Lewis tallied her first career RBI.
• Hudson, Alyssa Garabedian, and Clancy stole a base.

Next Up

The Black and Gold will face Norfolk St. in a doubleheader on Saturday.