Theetge, big inning leads Bulldogs to series win

ABILENE, Texas – Senior Steve Theetge (Syracuse, N.Y.) tossed six scoreless innings and the offense did the rest as the Bryant University baseball team earned a series victory with an 11-1 victory over Abilene Christian on Sunday afternoon.

Theetge allowed just two hits, walked two and struck out four over six scoreless to earn the 24th victory of his career. He surrendered both hits in the second inning before retiring 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.

Bryant put the game away with a seven-run fourth inning and a three-run fifth inning. The Bulldogs finished the game with 12 hits.

Freshman Jake Gustin (Peabody, Mass.) led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored from the No. 9 spot in the order. Senior Nick Angelini (Bedford, N.H.) went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while junior Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) and senior Tyler Panno (Rivervale, N.J.) both hit two-run home runs.  

Game Information
Bryant 11, Abilene Christian 1
Records: Bryant (2-1), ACU (1-2)
Location: Crutcher Scott Field (Abilene, Texas)
W|L|S: Steve Theetge (1-0) | Jonathan Nicholson (0-1)

Coach Owens' Comments

"It was a big win because of how yesterday ended. It's always hard to win a series on the road. The guys showed up and were ready to pitch, hit and play defense from the start of the game until the end of the game. Steve gave us by far the best outing of the weekend. He was in total command, was ahead of hitters, got weak of contact, fielding his position well and controlled the running game well. Near flawless start. This weekend was a challenge and I am proud of how our guys stepped up to that challenge, especially today. We got production from different guys throughout the lineup, went 11-for-13 with runners on third and less than two outs and got a lot of guys out on the mound. It's a short week to get ready to face an elite team in an awesome atmosphere."

Key Moment

• Gustin delivered a two-run single and Wright hammered a two-run home run to highlight a seven-run fourth inning for the Black and Gold.   

How it Happened

• Bryant scored in the first inning for the third time in the series. Angelini walked, stole second and scored on a two-out single to right from Titus.
• Theetge kept the score the same as he picked up a big strikeout to strand runners on second and third in the second.
• The Bulldogs then exploded in the fourth, sending 10 men to the plate and scoring seven runs. A single and an HBP put the first two on and a throwing error allowed the first run to come across. Sophomore Sam Owens (Scituate, R.I.) followed with an infield single to drive in a run and Gustin followed with a two-run single up the middle. After an RBI single from Angelini, Wright greeted Bryant Jordan with a monstrous two-run home run to right center.
• Bryant completed its scoring with three runs in the fifth. Panno swatted a two-run home run and Angelini added another run-scoring single.
• ACU plated its only run of the game in the eighth without the benefit of a hit. Three walks loaded the bases and a fielder's choice brought in the only run.   

Stats

• Bryant outhit ACU, 12-2.  
• Theetge allowed two hits, walked two and struck out four over six innings.  
• Redshirt junior Jack Owens (Scituate, R.I.) retired all three batters in a scoreless seventh.
• Sophomore Will Treuel (Wolfeboro, N.H.) recorded the final five outs in his first appearance of the year.
• Gustin finished 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored.
• Angelini collected two hits, drove in two, scored twice, walked twice and stole a base.
• Wright homered and drove in two.
• Titus posted two hits, an RBI and a run scored.
• Sophomore Shane Kelly (Sewell, N.J.) doubled and scored twice.
• Panno had two hits, drove in two and also stole a base.  

Notes and Notables

• With the victory, Bryant picked up a series victory to open the season for the first time in DI program history. The Bulldogs won all four games of their opening weekend in 2016 but it came against three different opponents.
• The Bulldogs improve to 16-30-1 in the month of February under head coach Steve Owens.
• Bryant is now 89-1 when scoring 10+ runs under Owens.
• Ciliento saw his hitting streak end at eight games but extended his on-base streak to 10 games dating back to last year.
• Panno has now reached safely in a career-high 17-straight games dating back to last year.
• Panno's home run was the ninth of his career.
• Wright's home run was the 10th of his career.
• Gustin posted his first-career multi-hit game.
• Gustin finished the series 5-for-11 with five RBI and four runs scored. He registered at least one hit, drove in at least one run and scored at least once in all three games.
• Angelini drove in multiple runs for the second-straight game. His stolen base was the 44th of his career.
• Theetge now has 24 career wins. He is one shy of Eric Loh for fifth place all-time and two back of third.
• Theetge has allowed just one unearned on four hits over 13 innings in his last two season-opening starts. He held Arizona to two hits over seven innings last February.   
• Treuel hasn't allowed a run over his final 5 1/3 innings dating back to last season.
• Angelini now has 87 career walks and is tied for seventh all-time at Bryant.

Up Next

Bryant continues its 18-game road trip when it travels to Baton Rouge to take on No. 1 LSU next weekend. The three-game series opens Friday night at 8 p.m. EST.