Bulldogs thwarted by Northeastern in extras, 7-6

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Northeastern University scored three times in ninth to tie the game and then once in the 10th to earn a come-from-behind victory, 7-6, over the Bryant University baseball team on Wednesday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The Bulldogs took a three-run lead to the ninth thanks to a three-run eighth inning home run from redshirt sophomore Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.), but Bryant's sixth error of the game allowed the tying run to score in the top of the ninth. Bryant left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th.

Ward finished 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Classmate Jimmy Titus (Stafford, Conn.) and junior Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) also finished with two hits.

Game Information
Northeastern 7, Bryant 6 (10)
Records: Bryant (32-14), Northeastern (20-24)
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Misiaszek (2-2) | Jack Ipsen (1-1)

Key Moments

• Ward broke a 3-3 tie with a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.
• Jake Farrell doubled home two with two outs in the ninth and then scored the tying run on an error.  

How it Happened

• Bryant scored in the first inning as Ward singled, stole second and came around to score on a two-out single from Wright.
• The Bulldogs extended their lead to 2-0 in the third when junior James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) scored on a balk.
• Northeastern then tied the game in the fourth on a two-run error. With the bases loaded, sophomore Tyler Schoff (Lee Center, N.Y.) got a ground ball to first but the Bulldogs were unable to get an out on the play and two runs scored.
• The Black and Gold quickly retook the lead as freshman Jake Gustin (Peabody, Mass.) plated senior Nick Angelini (Bedford, N.H.) with a sac fly.
• The Huskies tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the fifth. Two errors put the leadoff runner on and consecutive sacrifices plated the run.
• It remained tied until Gustin started a two-out rally in the eighth with a single. A hit by pitch put two on and Ward laced a 2-1 pitch over the left center wall for a three-run home run.
• In the ninth, Northeastern collected a pair of singles before Farrell doubled to left center to score two. A soft ground ball to first followed and the flip to Wright covering the bag was behind him. Farrell alertly scampered for home and slid in just ahead of the throw.
• In the 10th, a double steal put two in scoring position and a sac fly gave the Huskies the lead.   

Stats

• Bryant outhit Northeastern, 10-9.
• The Bulldogs committed six errors in the game.
• Schoff allowed three unearned runs on three hits, walked one and struck out four over 4 2/3 innings.
• Sophomore Will Treuel (Wolfeboro, N.H.) tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
• Freshman Jackson Harrigan (Acton, Mass.) and senior Nathan Wrighter (Windsor, N.Y.) both tossed scoreless innings.
• Wright allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in the ninth.
• Ward finished 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.
• Titus went 2-for-5.
• Wright went 2-for-6 with an RBI.
• Gustin was 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk.

Notes and Notables

• Bryant is now 9-4 against Northeastern in DI program history.
• Bryant has now hit 71 home runs on the season. That is tied with Quinnipiac (1999) for the most home runs in a single season in NEC history.
• Ward now has 38 hits over his last 18 games. He's hit safely in all 18 of those contests.
• Ward now has 11 home runs on the year, tied for the seventh-most in a single season in program history. It is the second-most in a single season in DI program history.
• Titus now has 53 RBI, tied for the ninth-most in a single season in program history.
• Angelini extended his DI program record for runs scored to 177.
• Angelini's stolen base was the 54th of his career.
• Wright has now reached safely in 34-straight games. It is the 14th-longest active streak in the country.
• Ciliento's 57 runs scored are tied for the seventh-most in a single season in program history.

Up Next

Bryant welcomes Mount St. Mary's to Conaty Park on Friday to start a three-game Northeast Conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.