Bryant, URI meet in intrastate matchup

BULLDOGS TRAVEL TO URI FOR MID-WEEK CONTEST

BASEBALL WEEKLY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In search of its sixth-straight victory, the Bryant University baseball team will face intra-state rival University of Rhode Island on Wednesday, April 11 in Kingston, R.I. First pitch for the non-conference contest is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs (17-13, 10-2 NEC) are coming off a weekend sweep of Central Connecticut and have matched their five-game winning streak from mid-March. They'll be facing a Rams (17-14, 6-3) team that has won seven of its last eight games, including an 8-6 win over NEC member Quinnipiac on Tuesday.

Bryant and URI have met twice, with the Rams winning both contests. Last year, Brian Bodjiak and Rob Curran combined to limit the Bulldogs to just five hits in a 4-0 shutout victory. Two years ago, a pair of big inning helped URI edge the Black and Gold, 11-10. The Rams scored five runs in the first and then six in a decisive sixth inning.

This season, the Rams have been led by Jeff Roy and Jeff Cammans. Roy leads the team in hitting at .322 and has stolen 10 bases and scored a team-high 31 runs. Cammans has clubbed a team-high 16 doubles and also leads the squad with 27 RBI. As a team, the Rams have stolen 60 bases, with all but two primary starters collecting at least one.

On the mound, URI has posted a 4.18 ERA and has allowed six runs or less in each of the last 14 games following a 13-7 setback to UC Santa Barbara on Friday, March 16. They've held teams to three runs or less in eight of those last 14 contests. The Bulldogs will likely see right-hander Bobby Dean. He's appeared in seven games and has posted a 4.50 ERA over 16 innings.

The Bulldogs five consecutive victories have been a product of strong pitching and defense. Bryant's pitching staff has posted a 1.05 ERA over the last five games and the defense has made just five errors, posting a .974 fielding percentage. Each of the last five starters has recorded quality starts for the Black and Gold and senior Brian O'Neil (North Reading, Mass.) will look to continue that against the Rams. The right-hander has been a bit erratic this season, allowing just one hit over five innings against Liberty, before allowing five runs on seven hits in just two innings against Boston College.

Offensively, the Black and Gold hit just .255 last week but eight different players contributed an RBI. Senior Connor Carignan (Norwich, Conn.) has put together an impressive stretch over the last 10 games, hitting .375 with five doubles and 10 runs scored. Freshman John Mullen (Walpole, Mass.) has also found his stroke of late, collecting hits in each of his last six games. In those six contests, Mullen is 8-for-21 with three doubles, a home run and six RBI.

Following Wednesday's mid-week game, Bryant will return to NEC play on Friday, April 13 as reigning NEC champion Sacred Heart comes to Smithfield. The Bulldogs and Pioneers will begin their four-game weekend series with a 3:00 p.m. first pitch at Conaty Park.