Bryant blanks Merrimack, 6-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team blanked Merrimack, 6-0, to kick off the Northeast Conference series on Saturday afternoon.

Four Bulldogs posted a multi-hit game and Tyler Mattison struck out eight as the Bulldogs recorded their sixth shutout this season.

Game Information
Bryant 6, Merrimack 0
Records: Bryant (20-1-11, 16-3) | Merrimack (15-17, 10-9)
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Tyler Mattison (8-2) | Vin Zappulla (3-4)

Key Moment

• With two runners on first and second, Liam McGill brought Matt Woods home with a single to short center. Damaurys Rodriguez followed suit just two batters later with both McGill and Jake Gustin on first and second. Rodriguez hit a lined drive to right field to bring in McGill which gave Bryant a lead that they would not surrender.

How it Happened

• In the second inning, McGill tallied his second RBI of the day with a single to left field to make the score 3-0.
• Bryant tallied two more runs in the bottom of the fifth when Vincenzo Castronovo hit a sac fly with runners on first and third and no outs to score Rodriguez. Brian Nicolas followed it up with an RBI single that bounced just over the second-basemen.
• McGill was in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth when Rodriguez grounded out to shortstop for the final run of the game, 6-0.

Stats

• Mattison recorded the win on the mound and tallied eight strikeouts as Merrimack posted just two hits off the senior.
• Sophomore Liam LeVangie pitched two innings and recorded two strikeouts before Jack Ipsen closed out the game in the ninth. Both pitchers gave up one hit apiece.
• Woods, Gustin, McGill, and Rodriguez led the Bulldogs each with two hits. Shane Kelly and Nicolas both posted one.
• McGill and Rodriguez tallied two RBI's while Castronovo and Nicholas brought in one.

Game Notes

• Woods and McGill extend to a three-game hitting streak.
• The Bulldogs post their second-straight shutout of the season.
• Today's win marks seven-straight for Mattison and his second-straight game of eight strikeouts.

Up Next
The Bulldogs return to Conaty Park on Sunday, April 9 for a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.