Bulldogs fall in extras at Siena Tuesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Costly errors and a three-run second inning proved to be the difference, as the Bryant University baseball team suffered a 4-3 loss against Siena College in 10 innings Tuesday afternoon in Loudonville, N.Y.

Bryant (23-22) moves to 5-7 in one-run games and 2-3 in extra inning affairs with the loss Tuesday, while the club wrapped up non-league games for 2011. Siena (20-25 MAAC) outhit the Bulldogs, 9-7, but recorded no base knocks in the tenth, scoring the game's final run on sacrifice fly to centerfield.

The Saint jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, collecting three hits against starting pitcher Brian O'Neil (North Reading, Mass.) and converted on a handful of errors by Bryant. Mike Fish led off with a base knock to left field and came across home throwing error by the second baseman before Larry Balkwill and Kyle Baldini were plated on an error by the right fielder for an early 3-0 edge.

The Bulldogs would respond in the top half of the fourth as Mike DelPonte (Tewksbury, Mass.) got things started with a double to right field. The designated hitter made his way to third on a single by Jamie Skagerlind (Holden, Mass.) before Colin Dougherty (Lowell, Mass.) brought him home on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 3-1.

Facing a two-run deficit late in the game, the visitors would mount a comeback in the top of the seventh. Bryant got started with a single through the right side by Connor Carignan (Norwich, Conn.). With the lead -off man aboard, Kevin Brown (Northborough, Mass.) placed him on second with a single to the shortstop. After Siena's Sawyer botched a sacrifice bunt by Jordan English (Windsor Locks, Conn.), Carignan was able to use his speed and touch home on the error. Slugger David Soltis (Plainville, Conn.) then stepped into the batter's box and delivered his team-best 25^th RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game, 3-3.

With John Michael Ryan (Worcester, Mass.) now on the hill, the righty was able to keep the Saints off the board, before giving way to southpaw Mark Andrews (Hillsborough, N.J.) in the ninth. Andrews would allow one hit but get out of the frame with the score still tied.

Matt Griswold (Berlin, Conn.) took over duties on the mound in the tenth, but the home side finally broke through in the bottom of the tenth, as Dan Paolini came across on a sacrifice fly to take the 4-3 victory.

Bryant will return to Northeast Conference action Friday, May 6 for the first of four against Quinnipiac. First pitch from Smithfield, R.I. is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., and fans can follow live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com.