Bulldogs drop series opener to Wagner, 6-4

LAKEWOOD, N.J. – Wagner College scored five unearned runs on its way to a 6-4 victory over the Bryant University baseball team on Friday afternoon at FirstEnergy Park.

Moments after the Bulldogs tied the game at 2-2, the Seahawks took advantage of a two-out error to score four times in the bottom of the fourth and then held off a late Bryant rally.

Shane Kelly posted a pair of hits and hit his first home run of the season to lead the Bryant offense. Tyler Mattison surrendered six runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.0 innings, while Austin Wainer struck out a career-high six over 4.0 scoreless innings of relief.   

Game Information
Wagner 6, Bryant 4
Records: Bryant (22-12-1, 18-4 NEC), Wagner (10-21, 7-18 NEC)
Location: FirstEnergy Park (Lakewood, N.J.)
W|L|S: Ryan Lauk (2-6) | Tyler Mattison (8-3) | Kevin Wiseman (4)

Key Moment

• After the first two batters in the fourth were retired, Wagner extended the inning with a walk and a single before scoring four times following a two-out error.          

How it Happened

• Wagner got on the board first, plating a pair of runs in the second. Mike Ruggiero drove in the first run with a single and came around to score on a wild pitch.
• Bryant battled back to tie the game in the fourth. An infield single brought home the first run and Damaurys Rodriguez tied the game with a sac fly.
• In the bottom of the inning, Mattison retired the first two batters before a walk and a single kept the inning alive. An infield error then allowed a run to score, a single scored the second run and David Melfi made it 6-2 with a two-run double.
• Bryant chipped away, scoring single runs in the eighth and ninth. Matt Woods walked and came around to score on a Wagner error in the eighth and Kelly led off the ninth with a home run to left.  

Stats

• Wagner outhit Bryant, 10-7.
• Both teams committed a pair of errors in the game.
• Mattison allowed six runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.0 innings. He walked three and struck out two.
• Wainer struck out six and allowed just two hits over 4.0 scoreless innings of relief.
• Kelly finished with a pair of hits, including his first home run of the year.
• Woods scored a pair of runs.

Game Notes

• Jake Gustin has now reached safely in 25-straight games.
• Liam McGill has reached safely in all 30 games he's played this season.
• McGill now leads the team with 41 RBI.
• Wainer lowered his season ERA to 1.83.
• Wainer also struck out a career-high six batters.

Up Next

Bryant and Wagner continue their three-game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.