Allegretti's relief work keys 12-6 win over Merrimack

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Christian Allegretti tossed 5.1 innings of scoreless relief as the Bryant University baseball team earned a 12-6 victory over Merrimack on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The victory snaps a six-game losing skid in Northeast Conference games and moves the Black and Gold within a game of a top four spot in the league standings.

Allegretti entered in the fourth inning and went on to toss 5.1 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the year. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four.

Matt Woods went 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored to pace the offense. Derek Smith collected three hits, Alex Lane drove in three runs and Jackson Phinney drove in a pair and scored twice. Logan Allen and Damaurys Rodriguez each chipped in two hits.   

Game Information
Bryant 12, Merrimack 6
Records: Bryant 13-18, 4-7 NEC | Merrimack 10-19-1, 5-6 NEC
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Christian Allegretti (1-1) | Wyatt Villella (2-3)

Key Moment

• Woods tied the game with a two-strike single to left and then raced home on a wild pitch to give Bryant a 7-6 lead in the fourth. The three-run fourth came following a three-run inning for the Warriors.                              

How it Happened

• Merrimack raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. A pair of RBI singles and an RBI double pushed across the three runs.
• Bryant answered with four runs in the bottom of the first. The first five Bulldogs reached safely with John Tuccillo driving in the first run with a double inside the third base bag. Lane followed with a three-run opposite field home run to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
• It remained 4-3 until the Warriors scored three two-out runs in the fourth. Mike Golankiewicz drove in two with a double and Braydon Dolbashian followed with an RBI triple. Allegretti came on and got the Bulldogs out of the inning and went on to shutout the Warriors.
• In the bottom of the inning, Phinney reached on an error and came around to score as Allen tripled into the right field corner.
• Woods followed with a two-strike single to left and advanced to third on a single from Jake Gustin. Merrimack then uncorked a wild pitch and Woods raced towards the plate. He dove in head first, ahead of the throw to make it 7-6.
• Bryant put the game away with a five-run seventh inning. Phinney plated the first two runs with a sharp single to left and Woods put an exclamation point on the afternoon with a three-run home run to right field to make it 12-6.  

Stats and Game Notes

• Bryant is now 7-1 against Merrimack at the DI level.
• The Bulldogs snapped a six-game losing streak to league opponents.
• Brett Wichrowski started for the Bulldogs, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 3.2 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
• Allegretti earned the win with 5.1 scoreless innings of relief. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four.
• The outing was the longest of Allegretti's career.
• Woods finished a double shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and three runs scored.
• Woods now has 17 extra-base hits on the year, posting 10 doubles, four triples and three home runs.
• Lane hit his team-leading eighth home run of the year.
• Smith went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
• Rodriguez posted a 2-for-5 day.
• Phinney drove in two runs and scored twice.
• Allen finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.   

Up Next
Bryant and Merrimack play the rubber match of their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.