Bryant nine play three at FGCU
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryant | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 3 |
|
Fla. Gulf Coast | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
BASEBALL FACES FLA. GULF COAST IN A THREE-GAME SERIES BEGINNING FRIDAY
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to build off a strong opening-weekend performance, the Bryant University baseball team travels to Fort Myers, Fla., this weekend to face Florida Gulf Coast in a three-game series starting on Friday (Feb. 24).
Backed by excellent starting pitching in the first two games of the season, the Bulldogs (2-1) won a pair of tight contests last weekend in Cary, N.C. For the first time since 2008 the Black and Gold won their season-opener, defeating Saint Joseph's, 4-1, behind six stellar innings from Peter Kelich (Jackson, N.J.) on Friday. On Saturday, Joseph Michaud (Milford, Conn.) was even more dominant, as the right-hander scattered four hits and struck out five over seven scoreless innings as the Bulldogs blanked Wright St., 2-0. Marshall ended any hopes the Bulldogs had of a perfect weekend by scoring 16 runs on 22 hits in the nightcap on Saturday.
Offensively on the weekend, the Black and Gold hit just .187 as a team. Mike DelPonte (Tewksbury, Mass.), Dan Muscatello (Hopkinton, Mass.) and Kevin Brown (Northborough, Mass.) all collected three hits, with DelPonte and Muscatello leading the way with two RBI apiece. Batting in the leadoff spot, Connor Carignan walked three times and scored a team-high three runs.
Despite giving up 16 runs in the series finale, the Bulldogs received strong pitching overall on the weekend and played strong defense. Left-hander Jonathan Cohen (Norwalk, Conn.) was dominant in relief, striking out four over two scoreless innings in his only appearance, and Salvatore Lisanti (Bronx, N.Y.) got his feet wet in the closer roll, locking down both Bryant wins. After throwing a scoreless inning of relief against Wright St., right-hander Craig Schlitter (Guilford, Conn.) is expected to make his first start of the year this weekend.
On the other side of the diamond, Florida Gulf Coast is off to a 1-3 start, including a 3-0 loss to No. 12 Miami on Wednesday. All three of the Eagles' losses have been by three runs or less and their lone victory was a 7-3 decision over Bethune-Cookman last weekend. Sean Dwyer has been an offensive catalyst for the Eagles, hitting .286 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored. He's also drawn three walks and is getting on base at a .444 clip. Freshman Alex Diaz leads FGCU in RBI with four and has also homered, doubled and scored three runs.
The Bulldogs are likely to see right-hander Jason Forjet in game one on Friday evening. He allowed a run on four hits and struck out 10 over six innings in a no decision last week. Brady Anderson is the Eagles' best option out of the bullpen, having already made three appearances on the season. He's given up just two hits and has struck out four over five scoreless innings.
Game one of three game series begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with games two and three set to take place on Saturday (2:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.). Fans can follow the game through LIVE STATS provided by Florida Gulf Coast.