Norton goes yard twice in 16-5 win at FDU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior shortstop David Soltis (Plainville, Conn.) and senior third baseman Tim Norton (Barnstable, Mass.) combined to go 5-for-10 with 10 RBIs while sophomore Peter Kelich (Jackson, N.J.) tossed a complete game, as the Bryant University baseball team toppled Fairleigh Dickinson University, 16-5, in the series opener Friday afternoon.

Bryant (27-23, 16-12 Northeast Conference) outhit the Knights (12-35, 9-20), 18-10, with seven different Bulldogs recording multiple base knocks. Bryant's 16 runs marked a season-high for the Black and Gold as the team moved to 6-0 when scoring 10 or more.

On the mound Kelich (6-3) picked up his fifth-straight win after allowing five runs on ten hits in nine innings of work.

The Bulldogs came out of the gate spraying the ball all over the diamond, scratching across three runs on three hits in the top of the first. Connor Carignan (Norwich, Conn.), Kevin Brown (Northborough, Mass.) and Soltis each hit a single consecutively to start the day. Brown would come across for the first run on an error by FDU's starting pitcher Eric Anderson (2-5).

Soltis would then touch home after Jamie Skagerlind (Holden, Mass.) got hit by a pitch in a bases-loaded situation. Mike DelPonte (Tewksbury, Mass.) would give Bryant a 3-0 edge when Norton knocked a fielder's choice RBI.

Both sides would exchange runs in the second, as FDU's DJ Robinson homered to cut the lead to 4-1.

The visiting side would bust open the game in the top of the third, posting five runs on six hits, giving the Bulldogs a 9-1 edge. Norton, Adam Claire (Litchfield,Conn.), Joe Carcone (New Hartford, N.Y.) and Soltis each recorded a RBI in the frame, while the club was able to bat around the entire lineup before committing the third out.

Bryant would go on to add four more runs over the next six innings, as Norton went yard twice, putting on an offensive showing that lifted to the Bulldogs to the 16-5 victory.

The Bulldogs look to continue their winning ways Saturday, as the club will partake in a twinbill starting at 12 p.m.