Ward wins fourth-straight NEC Rookie of the Week honor

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University baseball freshman Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) has been named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week for the fourth-straight week following his performance last week.

Ward has now won the award six times this season. It is the most rookie of the week honors for a Bulldog in DI program history.

Ward swung his way to a fourth consecutive NEC Rookie of the Week award. The redshirt freshman hit safely in all five games and reached base on at least two occasions in each of the Bulldogs' four bouts against NEC rival Sacred Heart. Helping Bryant take three out of four from SHU, Ward batted. 471 (8-for-17) with two doubles, one triple, two walks, five RBI and five runs scored. He gave Bryant a 2-0 lead by ripping a run-scoring single in the fifth inning of the opener. Further contributing to the 5-4 walk-off win, Ward drew an intentional walk during the decisive 11th innings. He singled and scored in the first inning of Game 2 and later added a base on balls in the 4-3 triumph. Ward doubled to lead off Game 3 before connecting on a RBI triple in the seventh frame of the 9-6 setback. The Massachusetts product recorded three hits and three RBI in the series finale. Leading the Bulldogs to a series-clinching 15-6 victory, Ward singled twice in the first two innings. He singled for a third time in the fifth inning, chasing home a pair of runners to increase the Bulldogs' lead to 8-1.

In addition, senior Mickey Gasper (Merrimack, N.H.) was named an NEC Prime Performer. Gasper went 11-for-17 with three doubles, two triples, a home run, six RBI, nine runs scored and a .739 OBP in five games last week. He had four hits in a midweek win over Quinnipiac, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. Gasper closed the weekend with three hits, three RBI and three runs scored vs. Sacred Heart.

Bryant returns to action on Tuesday afternoon when they visit in-state rival Rhode Island. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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