Mattison, Wright pitch Bulldogs to series win

BROOKLYN – Sophomore Tyler Mattison (Fort Ann, N.Y.) and junior Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) combined to allow just three hits and strikeout 12 to lead the Bryant University baseball team to a 4-2 victory over LIU Brooklyn in the series finale of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at LIU Field.

With the win, the Bulldogs won their second-straight Northeast Conference series this year and have now won 65 of their 69 all-time NEC series.

Mattison delivered his best start of the year, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with seven strikeouts in six innings. Wright followed with three scoreless innings of relief to earn his sixth save of the year. He walked one, struck out five and didn't allow a hit.

Junior Bryan Hart (Franklin, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored from the ninth spot in the order to spark the offense.

Game Information
Bryant 4, LIU Brooklyn 2
Records: Bryant (16-10, 4-2 NEC), LIU Brooklyn (8-15, 2-4 NEC)
Location: LIU Field (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
W|L|S: Tyler Mattison (3-1) | Rob Griswold (2-3) | Chris Wright (6)

Coach Owens' Comments

"It was a really well pitched game from Tyler. Very competitive and he didn't walk anybody. We were able to take the lead going into the seventh and Chris Wright was flawless to finish the game. Great defensive play from James Ciliento and a good offensive day from Bryan Hart. It was a very competitive game that we were happy to come out on the right side of. We are looking forward to being in Rhode Island for our next 10 games"

Key Moment

• With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, junior James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) made a diving catch in deep right center to take away extra bases. In the next half inning, Ciliento broke a 2-2 tie with a two-strike, two-out double.     

How it Happened

• LIU struck first as Joe Mercadante led off the game with an opposite field home run to right center.
• Bryant took its first lead of the game with a pair of runs in the top of the third. Senior Nick Angelini (Bedford, N.H.) walked to open the inning and Hart scored him all the way from first with a double to left center. Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Titus (Stafford, Conn.) then brought home Hart with a two-out single up the middle.
• The Blackbirds were able to tie the game on a Bryant error in the bottom of the fifth. Brock Hallum doubled to start the inning and then scored on a throwing error with two outs.
• Ciliento then provided two momentum-changing play in the span of an inning. He ended the sixth by making a leaping grab in deep right center to take away extra bases. In the next half inning, he blooped a two-strike pitch down the right field line for a two-out RBI double to give the Bulldogs lead.
• Bryant extended its lead with an unearned run in the eighth. Senior Tyler Panno (Rivervale, N.J.) doubled to open the inning and then came around to score when the Blackbirds tried to get him at third on a sac bunt but threw it down the left field line.
• Wright did the rest as he faced just one batter over the minimum over the final three innings to earn his sixth save.

Stats

• Mattison allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, didn't walk a batter and tied his career high with seven strikeouts over six innings.
• Wright struck out five, walked one and didn't' allow a hit over three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out the side in the ninth.
• Ciliento went 1-for-4 with an RBI double.
• Titus finished 1-for-3 with an RBI.
• Panno doubled and scored in his only plate appearance.
• Hart went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
• Angelini walked three times and stole a base.   

Notes and Notables

• Bryant improves to 33-14 all-time against LIU Brooklyn.
• Bryant was playing its final game at LIU Field. The Blackbirds will begin playing on the LIU Post campus starting in 2020. The Bulldogs went 21-6 at LIU Field.
• Bryant has now won or tied 65 of its 69 all-time NEC series. 
• Angelini saw his 11-game hitting streak come to a close.
• Titus has now driven in 22 runs in the last nine games.
• Ciliento has now hit safely in each of his last 15 games.
• Hart has now posted three two-hit games this week.
• Hart went 4-for-8 with three RBI and three runs scored in the series.
• Mattison matched his career high with seven strikeouts.
• Wright has now struck out 33 batters in 16 1/3 innings (18.18 per 9).
• Wright now leads the NEC with six saves.

Up Next

Bryant opens a stretch of 10-straight games in Rhode Island when it visits URI on Wednesday, April 3. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.