Pioneers hand Bryant 8-2 loss Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- After falling behind 5-0 in the first three innings, the Bryant University baseball team was not able to overcome the deficit, as the Bulldogs fell, 8-2, against Sacred Heart University Friday evening in Northeast Conference action at a neutral site in New Britain, Conn.

Bryant (21-20,10-10 NEC) was only able to muster seven hits in the outing while starting pitcher John Michael Ryan (Worcester, Mass.) was tagged with 12 and six runs in five innings of work. The Pioneers (23-18, 14-7) generated 17 base knocks while Troy Scribner twirled his third-straight complete game on the mound for the hosts.

 The home side came out of the gate swinging, recording five runs on six hits in the second and third frames. It was not until the top of the sixth when Jordan English (Windsor Locks, Conn.) broke the seal for Bryant with a RBI single to left center, bringing home Connor Carignan (Norwich, Conn.) to cut the lead to 6-1.

SHU would distant themselves once again in the bottom of the six with two more runs on four hits, as second baseman JJ Phillips picked up his second and third RBIs in the outing with a two-run single to right field.

The Bulldogs would respond with a run in the top of the eighth, recorded a groundout RBI to the first baseman, allowing Kevin Brown (Northborough,Mass.) to come across for third, but that is as close the the visitors would get.

Bryant's seven hits came from three different players, with Brown and English combined for a 5-for-7 performance at the dish. With the L, Ryan moves to 4-3 on the season as the team drop back to .500 in league play.

The Bulldogs look to bounce back in the Saturday doubleheader against Sacred Heart in Bridgeport, Conn, at the Ballpark in Harbor Yard. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. and fans can listen inon the action and follow live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com.