Bulldogs fall in game two to Sacred Heart, 9-6

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sacred Heart scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to earn a 9-6 win over Bryant University baseball team in game two of Saturday's Northeast Conference doubleheader.

The Bulldogs held a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning but the Pioneers scored twice in the sixth and six more times in the seventh to earn the victory.

Bryant was limited to just seven hits for the second-straight game. Redshirt freshman Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) doubled and tripled and senior Mickey Gasper (Merrimack, N.H.) homered and drove in three runs.

Game Information

Bryant 6, Sacred Heart 9

Records: Bryant (21-15-1, 12-5 NEC), Sacred Heart (10-22, 5-7 NEC)

Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)

W|L|S: Cooper Thompson (3-3) | Jack Ipsen (0-1)

Coach Owens' Comments

"Both games were really tough. We were fortunate to win the first game. The second game we came out with an early lead but just didn't get enough hits. Our veteran hitters stunk today. They didn't do the job. They didn't hit the baseball. Sacred Heart got more hits and pitched better and they deserved to win the second game. We'll see who wants to win the series tomorrow. One team can be 3-1 or we can both be 2-2. Hopefully were the team that comes out and goes 3-1."

Key Moment

• The Pioneers broke a 3-3 tie with six runs in the top of the seventh. Stephen Thibault started the scoring with a two-run single down the right-field line.

How it happened

• Bryant jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ward led off with a double and came around to score on a two-out single sophomore Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.). The Bulldogs then sent Wright in motion and he got in a rundown to allow Gasper to score from first.
• Sacred Heart got a run back in the second as Anthony Capozziello delivered a two-out RBI double.
• The game remained 2-1 until the sixth inning when Dan Schock hit his eighth home run of the year to tie it. Elijah Brown gave the Pioneers a 3-2 lead with a two-out single to right.
• Gasper quickly tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as he clobbered a solo home run to right field.
• Things unraveled for Bryant in the top of the seventh as the Pioneers loaded the bases with no outs. With runners on first and second, Bryant threw to third on a sac bunt and the runner was ruled safe. Thibault, P.J. DeFilippo and Brown all delivered two-run singles to make it 9-3.
• Bryant plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh to close the scoring. Ward delivered an RBI triple and Gasper plated two with a double to right center.

Stats

• Sophomore Vito Morgese (Warwick, N.Y.) allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out five over 5 2/3 innings.
• Redshirt sophomore Mason Palmieri (Lincoln, R.I.) made his season debut on the mound, inducing a double play to end the seventh.
• Ward went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and two runs scored.
• Gasper doubled, homered, drove in three and scored twice.
• Cruz doubled and was hit by a pitch.
• Matt Aufiero allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings in his first-career start for SHU.   

Game Notes

• The Bulldogs are now 28-16 against Sacred Heart at the DI level.
• The Bulldogs saw their seven-game winning streak come to a close.
• Palmieri's appearance was his first since May 11, 2017 at Sacred Heart.
• Ward extended his hitting streak to 23 games and his on-base streak to 33 games. Both are the longest of his career. He has reached safely in all but one game this season.
• Ward now has 19 doubles and five triples on the season.
• Gasper posted his fourth home run of the year. All four have come in NEC play.
• Wright extended his on-base streak to 17 games.

Up Next

The Bulldogs and Pioneers wrap up their weekend series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.