Bulldogs fall to Wagner on Friday

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Austin Goeke allowed one run on just two hits over six innings to lead Wagner to a 7-1 victory over the Bryant University baseball team in the opening game of a four-game Northeast Conference series on Friday afternoon at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.

The loss snaps the Bulldogs' (7-18, 2-1 NEC) four-game winning streak, while Bryant's three hits match a season low. The Seahawks (6-14, 2-2 NEC) have won five of their eight games against the Bulldogs on Staten Island.

Goeke, the league-leader in strikeouts, limited the Bulldogs to just one run on two hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out five. Goeke didn't allow a baserunner until the third and retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced. Douglas Molnar allowed just one hit over the final three innings to earn the save.

The Seahawks scored all the runs they would need in the second thanks to sloppy defense from the Bulldogs. Freddy Sabido singled to open the inning, stole second and scored as a ground ball to the right side was misplayed. John Mead then laid a bunt down the third base line that was fielded cleanly but the throw to first was in the baseline and led to a collision. The ball scooted free, advancing the baserunner to third. Mead would then steal second and Anthony Pecora followed with a single to right center to score two and make it 3-0.

Bryant responded in the third but Goeke limited the Black and Gold to just one run. Senior Jacob Marotta (Bridgewater, Mass.) opened the inning with a double down the third base line, and freshman Gaby Cruz (Miami, Fla.) followed with a bunt single to put runners on the corners. It would be the only two hits the Bulldogs would muster off the righty.

Junior Malik Daley (Northborough, Mass.) then drove in Marotta with a sac fly to right. A walk and a hit batter eventually loaded the bases with two outs but Goeke got a fly ball to center to end the threat.

Wagner extended its lead with a two-out run in the fifth. Anthony Godino tripled to left center with two outs and scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

The Seahawks then put the game away with two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth. An infield error and a Godino single put runners on the corners with no outs. A wild pitch scored a run and moved Godino to third where he would score on a sac fly to right. Godino then capped the scoring with a sac fly in the eighth.

Freshman Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) took the loss for the Bulldogs, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits over 4 2/3. He walked three and struck out four. Junior Jack Patterson (Suffield, Conn.) tossed 1 2/3 innings of relief, surrendering two runs (one earned) on two hits.

Sabido led Wagner with four hits, while Godino had two hits and two runs scored.

Bryant and Wagner continue their series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.