Bulldogs, Rams renew in-state rivalry Wed.

GAME NOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team heads to Kingston, R.I., on Wednesday to face in-state rival Rhode Island at Bill Beck Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs (18-9) are coming a 3-1 showing at the first annual Dodd Stadium College Baseball Classic and are the unanimous choice as the top team in New England in the most recent NEIBA poll. The Rams (6-20) are struggling this year but are coming off a series victory over Fordham this past weekend.

Bryant has won 15 of its last 18 games heading into the week and will begin conference play this weekend against Central Connecticut. The Bulldogs are hitting .294 on the season and have showed a penchant for stealing bases. Led by juniors Carl Anderson (Sudbury, Mass.) (15-17) and John Mullen (Walpole, Mass.) (10-12), the Black and Gold have swiped 51 bases this season. They rank 19th in the country in stolen bases and eighth in stolen bases per game (1.93). Anderson also leads the team in hits (40), doubles (8) and RBI (22). Bryant also features eight players with 10 or more RBI and 10 players that have scored 10 or more runs on the year.

Freshman left-hander Jack Patterson (Suffield, Conn.) will make his third-career start on Wednesday. Patterson tossed four scoreless innings of relief last week to lower his ERA to 4.50 in 18 innings. He has walked nine, struck out 18 and teams are hitting just .234 against him. As a team, the Bulldogs are pitching to a 3.56 ERA and opponents are hitting just .222 on the year.

URI is led by junior second baseman Tim Caputo.  He is the only regular to hit over .300 (.319) and to have double-digits in RBI (10) and runs scored (10). The Rams are hitting just .215 as a team and are averaging just over three runs per game. Derek Gardella is tied for the team lead with four doubles and has also driven in nine runs.

On the mound, the Rams have posted a 4.17 ERA and opponents are hitting .272. Wednesday will be a staff day as URI will use several pitchers against the Bulldogs.

Following Wednesday's contest, Bryant will open Northeast Conference play on Friday, Apr. 11 as it hosts Central Connecticut.