Lowe wins pitching duel as Bryant downs LIU on Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Collin Lowe allowed one run on four hits over 8.0 innings as the Bryant University baseball team defeated LIU, 4-1, on Opening Day at Conaty Park Friday afternoon.

Friday marked the Northeast Conference opener for both teams. Bryant improved to 69-16 at home since the start of the 2017 season.

Lowe was making his first league start as a Bulldog and didn't disappoint. He scattered four hits, walked just one and struck out three in his longest outing of the year.

Alex Lane went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored and Shane Kelly drove in two.      

Game Information
Bryant 4, Long Island 1
Records: Bryant 7-11, 1-0 NEC, LIU 12-9, 0-1 NEC
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Collin Lowe (2-3) | Joshua Loeschorn (4-1) | Austin Wainer (1)

Key Moment

• Kelly keyed a three-run fourth inning with a two-run double over the head of the left fielder.                      

How it Happened

• Both pitchers settled in early, sending the game to the fourth at 0-0.
• After Lowe struck out a pair of batters in the top of the fourth, Bryant broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fourth.
• Derek Smith opened the inning with a bloop that fell in between three LIU fielders in shallow center for a hustle double. A walk and a single loaded the bases and John Tuccillo broke the deadlock with a sac fly to center. Kelly then laced the first pitch he saw over the head of the left fielder for a two-out, two-run double, making it 3-0.      
• Lane extended Bryant's lead in the sixth, leading off the inning with a long home run to right center. It was his fourth of the year.
• The Sharks got on the board with a solo home run of their own in the top of the eighth from Colin Adams.
• Bryant's defense turned two huge double plays late in Friday's game with both starting at third. Tommy DiTullio started an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play in the seventh and stopped an LIU rally in the ninth with a 5-4-3 double play. 

Stats and Game Notes

• Lowe allowed one run on four hits, walked one and struck out three over 8.0 innings.
• Lane went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored.
• Kelly doubled home a pair of runs.
• Smith doubled and scored a run, Tuccillo drove in a run and Rodriguez walked twice and stole two bases.
• Lowe's outing was his longest of the season.
• Lane now leads the Bulldogs with four home runs this season.
• Bryant is 69-16 at home since the start of the 2017 season.
• Bryant is also 239-70 against NEC foes since the start of the 2010 season.

Up Next
Bryant and LIU continue their series on Saturday afternoon with a first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.