Bulldogs return to NEC play at Wagner

GAME INFORMATION
Bryant University (11-13, 3-5 NEC) at Wagner College (8-17, 6-6 NEC)
Friday, April 8, 2011 – 3:00 p.m. I Saturday, April 9 1 & 3:30 p.m. I Sunday, April 10 1 p.m.
Staten Island, N.Y. – Richmond County Bank Ballpark (6,900)
Live Stats I Probables

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After splitting a pair non-conference matchups this past week, the Bryant University baseball team travels to Staten Island, N.Y. for a four-game stand against the Wagner College Seahawks. The Bulldogs and Seahawks will play the first of four this afternoon with the first pitch slated for 3 p.m. Bryant currently holds a 4-0 edge in the all-time series, having swept the Seahawks at home in 2010.

Scouting Bryant

The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-1 win over non-league foe Harvard University Thursday afternoon at the Baseball Complex in Smithfield, R.I. The Bulldogs bounced back after suffering a 16-5 setback at Boston College on Wednesday afternoon, a game in which they surrendered 12 runs in the bottom of the eighth. The Bulldogs have posted a 6-11 record in road contest this season, having dropped four of the last five away from home.

At the plate, Bryant has been led by junior David Soltis (Plainville, Conn.), who has recorded a team-best .338 batting average to go along with his team-high 27 hits. Soltis has generated a slugging percentage above .460 and is batting .381 with runners in scoring position. The slugging shortstop has delivered seven doubles and 10 RBIs thus far in 2011 and is second on the lineup with a .460 on-base percentage.

In total, the Bulldogs have recorded 48 extra base hits including 39 doubles and five home runs. Eight different Bulldogs have registered at least 10 hits through the first 24 games, while four of those batters have posted 10 or more RBIs.

On the mound, Brian O'Neil (North Reading, Mass.) is leading the rotation with 30.2 innings of work and has recorded three W's in six starts this season. O'Neil tossed seven solid innings against Harvard Thursday afternoon, allowing a single run and just four hits in the 12-1 victory. Starting right hander Peter Kelich (Jackson, N.J.) leads all Bulldogs with 22 K's and has allowed a team-low six walks in 30.1 innings pitched.

Scouting the Seahawks

Wagner enters the weekend series 2-3 in last five outings after dropping a 13-4 decision to St. John's University Wednesday afternoon. The Seahawks currently sit tied for fourth with Central Connecticut in the latest NEC standings.

At the plate, right fielder Kevin McDonnell has been strong as of late, batting a team-best .478 (11-23) with eight runs, three doubles, one home run, seven RBI and four stolen bases while posting a .739 slugging percentage and a .571 OBP. Additionally, McDonnell is riding a career-best 11-game hitting streak while batting safely in 14 of his last 15 games. On the year, he leads the team in batting (.356), doubles (7), home runs (2), RBI (18), slugging (.539) and OBP (.437) while ranking second in runs (16), walks (11) and stolen bases (9).

On the mound, senior RHP Dale Hering has won his last three starts – all during NEC play and turned in his most dominating performance last week in an 11-0 win over Long Island, striking out eight over 7.0 shutout innings. On the year, he is 3-2 while ranking second in the NEC with 27 strikeouts over 30.1 innings of work.