Carignan delivers in comeback win
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Down 4-2 in the top of the ninth inning, the Bryant University baseball team appeared to be on the verge of dropping their third-straight game, but junior outfielder Connor Carignan (Norwich, Conn.) belted a one-out, two-run double to right centerfield to tie things up, as the Bulldogs would go on to complete the comeback and defeat Brown University, 5-4, Wednesday afternoon in Providence, R.I.
The Bulldogs' (21-19) one-run victory marks the first time in 16 tries this season the team has overcome a deficit after the eighth inning and the fifth time Bryant has came out on top in a game decided by a single score. Despite tying the Bears (9-27) with seven hits apiece, the Bulldogs picked up three when they needed them the most in the top of the ninth.
Righty Brian O'Neil (North Reading, Mass.) got the nod for the Bulldogs and tossed two strikeouts but allowed three runs in 3.1 innings before giving way to a trio of pitchers. Jonathan Cohen (Norwalk, Conn.) and David O'Brien (Whitman, Mass.) bridged the gap to Salvatore Lisanti (Bronx, N.Y.), who picked up his fourth W of the season after dealing two Ks and allowing one earned run in the eighth inning.
After three scoreless fames, the home side would put up a three spot in the bottom of the fourth off of three hits, as Mike DiBuase smacked a two-run double to left field to get thing started. Brown would load the bases and cash in another run on walks before Cohen entered the contest with a strikeout and a ground out to end the threat.
In the top half of the next inning, David Soltis (Plainville, Conn.) connected on a two-out double to left center, bringing home Jordan English (Windsor Locks, Conn.) to cut the lead to two. Hard-hitting left fielder Kevin Brown (Northborough, Mass.) would then step to the dish and deliver with his 19th RBI of the season, pulling the Bulldogs to within one, 4-3.
The Bulldog rotation would continue to keep Brown off the board until the bottom of the eighth, when the hosts pushed the lead back out to two, 5-3, off a RBI double to straight-away center by rightfielder Josh Feit.
Entering the top of the ninth in a two-run hole, Zachary Trenteseaux (Narragansett, R.I.) led off the inning with a walk and Edward Rooney (Merion Station, Pa.) took over on base-running responsibilities, as Joseph Carcone (New Hartford, N.Y.) pushed over the runner with a single through the right side. Tim Norton (Barnstable, Mass.) advanced both runners on a textbook sacrifice bunt, before Carignan turned on a 1-0 pitch for the two-run base knock.
Tied at 4-4, Soltis would record his fourth RBI in the past four outings on a fielder's choice to the shortstop for the 5-4 Bryant lead.
That is all the runs support the Bulldogs would need as Peter Kelich (Jackson, N.J.) retired the side in order in the bottom half to complete the comeback victory at Murray Stadium.
Carignan and Soltis highlighted the lineup, combining for four RBIs, two extra base knocks and two runs. With the victory, Bryant moves to 3-0 against the intrastate rival Bears since 2009 and now has won four-straight against Ivy League opponents.
The Bulldogs return to Northeast Conference action Friday afternoon against Sacred Heart. The first of a four-game series will be played in New Britain, Conn. with first pitch slated for 3:00 p.m.