Mattison's complete-game shutout completes Saturday sweep

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman Tyler Mattison (Fort Ann, N.Y.) tossed a complete game shutout as the Bryant University baseball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Central Connecticut with a 4-0 victory in game two on Saturday afternoon.

Mattison notched his first-career complete game and his first-career shutout in Saturday's second game. He scattered four hits, walked three and struck out five in the seven-inning contest. Mattison got a lot of help from his defense as the Black and Gold turned four double plays in the game.

Bryant was limited offensively but scored twice in the second and twice in third to earn the win. Sophomore James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) was the lone Bulldog to finish with multiple hits in game two.

Game Information

Bryant 4, Central Connecticut 0

Records: Bryant (24-16-1, 15-5), Central Connecticut (13-21, 8-11)

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

W|L|S: Tyler Mattison (5-1) | Kyle Anderson (0-3)

Coach Owens' Comments

"It was great to win two games at home on a nice day. In game one, our offense did a great job of putting together a couple of big innings. Mickey hit a big home run and Malik had three hits. They used two really good arms against us in one game. Steve gave us a great start but our defense was shoddy. We found a way to win the game by five.

Game two was very different. We were opportunistic. We had our chances to score a lot of runs but we didn't which is not uncommon in the second game of a doubleheader. Tyler Mattison really stayed out there and pitched great for us. It was good to see a complete game in a seven-inning game because now we have a lot of bullpen left for tomorrow."

Key Moment

• With the game scoreless in the second, sophomore Bryan Hart (Franklin, Mass.) lifted a two-out fly ball down the right field line. CCSU right fielder Peyton Stephens had it lined up but dropped it, allowing a run to score. Two batters later, Ciliento drove in another run with a two-out single to left.

How it happened

• Bryant opened the scoring in the second with two unearned runs. Junior Tyler Panno (Rivervale, N.J.) reached on an error, stole second and then came around to score as Hart's fly ball to right was dropped. Hart ended up on third and scored on Ciliento's single to batters later.
• The Black and Gold extended their lead with two more runs in the third. Senior Mickey Gasper (Merrimack, N.H.) doubled and CCSU starter Kyle Anderson hit two batters to load the bases. Freshman Sam Owens (Scituate, R.I.) then worked a full count before lining a two-out, two-run single to left field to make it 4-0.
• It was more than enough for Mattison as he tossed his first-career complete game. He started a 1-4-3 double play to end the first and Ciliento snared a liner before doubling off a runner in the fourth.
• CCSU put two on with out in the fifth but Mattison, once again, induced a double play to end the inning. Mattison then induced a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.   

Stats

• Bryant out-hit Central, 5-4.
• Mattison allowed just four hits, walked three and struck out five.
• Redshirt freshman Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) went 1-for-3 with a walk.
• Ciliento finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
• Gasper went 1-for-1 with two walks.
• Owens had a hit and two RBI.
• Anderson allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits over three innings. Andrew Braun pitched three, hitless and scoreless innings of relief.  

Game Notes

• The Bulldogs are now 30-10 against Central Connecticut at the Division I level.
• Bryant improves to 13-3-1 in the month of April.
• Bryant's doubleheader sweep now earns them at least a split of the weekend series. Bryant has won or tied 61 of its 65 NEC series.
• Mattison now leads the team with five wins on the year.
• Saturday marked his first complete game and his first complete-game shutout. He also pitched the first six innings of a shutout against FDU.
• Mattison has now posted four quality starts in five total starts on the year.
• Mattison improved to 4-1 with a 1.26 ERA against NEC opponents.
• Ward extended his hitting streak to 27 games and his on-base streak to 37 games. Both are the longest of his career. He has reached safely in all but one game this season.
• Ward's hitting streak is the sixth-longest in the nation this season. It is the fourth longest active streak.
• Ward now has 78 hits on the season, the seventh-most in a single season in DI program history.
• Gasper has now reached safely in each of his last 19 games.
• Ciliento posted his 19th multi-hit game of the year and has now reached safely in 18 straight.
• Owens posted multiple RBIs in both games of Saturday's doubleheader.  

Up Next

Bryant and Central Connecticut wrap up their four-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at noon.