Big inning lifts Bryant past URI on Tuesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team used a seven-run fifth inning to earn a 13-4 victory over in-state rival Rhode Island on Tuesday afternoon at Conaty Park.

Bryant won three of the four meetings between the teams this year and improved to 3-1 at home.

On Tuesday, Matt Woods had three hits and two doubles, Carmine Petosa drove in three runs and Tommy DiTullio hit his first-career home run. Petosa, DiTullio and John Tuccillo combined to drive in nine runs. Alex Lane added his team-leading seventh home run. The Bulldogs finished with eight hits.

On the mound, freshman Jackson Vanesko earned his first collegiate victory with 2.2 innings of one-run relief. He allowed four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out two.  

Game Information
Bryant 13, URI 4
Records: Bryant 11-14, URI 5-22
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Jackson Vanesko (1-0) | Corey Savedoff (0-2)

Key Moment

• Petosa broke a 4-4 tie with a two-run double and DiTullio followed with a three-run home run to give the Bulldogs a 9-4 lead in the fifth inning.                           

How it Happened

• URI got on the board first as Ryan Laske drove in Jack Cucinotta with a single to center.
• The Rams extended their lead with two more runs in the third. A fielder's choice brought in a run and a double made it 3-0. Vanesko, however, got a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
• Lane got Bryant on the board in the third with a solo home run to left field.
• The Bulldogs then took their first lead with three runs in the fourth. Petosa made it 3-2 with a bloop single between the left fielder and shortstop. Three batters later, Woods lined a two-run single into center to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
• URI quickly tied the game as Genther tripled into the right field corner in the top of the fifth. Vanesko came back to get a strikeout for the second out and then fielded a bunt and threw to first to end the rally.
• The Bulldogs then plated seven runs on just three hits in the bottom of the fifth. A hit by pitch, dropped fly ball and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Petosa followed with a double inside the first base bag to bring home a pair. DiTullio then lifted a 2-1 curveball over the left field wall for a three-run home run.
• A sac fly from Derek Smith and a URI fielding error brought home the final two runs of the inning.
• Tuccillo increased Bryant's lead to 13-4 with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh.

Stats and Game Notes

• Ken Turner made his second-straight midweek start, allowing three runs on four hits over 2.1 innings. He walked one and struck out three.
• Vanesko earned his first collegiate win with 2.2 innings of one-run relief. He allowed four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out two.
• Liam LeVangie tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, Coleman Picard notched a scoreless eighth and Matt Stansky struck out the side in the ninth.
• Woods finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. He also walked, reaching safely four times.
• Celebrating his birthday, Petosa went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
• DiTullio, Tuccillo and Lane each homered for the Bulldogs.
• The home run was the first in DiTullio's career. He finished with three RBI and two runs scored.
• Tuccillo hit his second home run of the year and finished with three RBI.
• Lane's home run was his team-leading seventh of the year.  

Up Next
Bryant hits the road for an Northeast Conference series at Fairleigh Dickinson this weekend. The series begins Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.