Ninth inning rally earns baseball a split on Sunday

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Derek Smith's two-out, three-run double in the top of the ninth salvaged a split of Sunday's doubleheader as the Bryant University baseball team came from behind to earn a 5-3 victory over LIU.

Bryant dropped game one of Sunday's doubleheader, 8-4, but avoided a sweep with the 5-3 win in game two. The Bulldogs are tied for third place in the NEC standings.

Smith drove in three in game two, while Shane Kelly had three hits. Coleman Picard and Christian Allegretti combined to allow one run over 5.0 innings of relief.  

Game Information
Game 1: LIU 8, Bryant 4
Game 2: Bryant 5, LIU 3
Records: Bryant 22-23, 12-9 NEC | LIU 29-16, 14-7 NEC
Location: LIU Baseball Field (Brookville, N.Y.)
Game 1: W|L|S: Josh Loeschorn (9-2) | Brett Wichrowski (1-1)
Game 2: W|L|S: Christian Allegretti (2-2) | Josh Gainer

Key Moment (Game 1)

• The Sharks scored six times in the third inning to break it open.                                        

How it Happened (Game 1)

• LIU broke open a scoreless game with a six-run third inning. The Sharks loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, with Giovanni Ciaccio bringing in two runs with a double to right center. After an HBP reloaded the bases, Carlton Harper doubled home two more. LIU closed the scoring with an RBI infield single and a bases-loaded walk.
• Bryant was able to answer back in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of an LIU error. Facing a 1-2 count with two outs, Tuccillo lifted a three-run home run to left field to make it 6-3.
• The Sharks hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 7-3. An unearned run made it 8-3 in the eighth.
• Bryant had its best chance to rally in the seventh, loading the bases with one out. A strikeout and a pop up ended the threat.

Stats (Game 1)

• Brett Wichrowski allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits, walked three and struck out one in 2.1 innings.
• Jackson Vanesko allowed one run and walked five in 2.0 innings of relief.     
• Liam LeVangie tossed 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed just one hit, walked two and struck out one.
• Tuccillo hit a three-run home run. He now has three home runs on the year.

Key Moment (Game 2)

• Trailing 3-1 in the ninth, Smith cleared the bases with a two-out, three-run double to give the Black and Gold the lead.                                        

How it Happened (Game 2)

• LIU grabbed the lead with two runs in the fourth.
• Bryant answered in the fifth with an RBI single from Matt Woods.
• The Sharks extended their lead with an unearned run in eighth. 
• In the ninth, Jackson Phinney was hit by a pitch and Alex Lane walked to put the first two runners on. After a wild pitch, Woods was intentionally walked to load the bases. A line out to left recorded the second out to bring Smith to the plate. Smith laced the first pitch he saw into the left-center, clearing the bases and giving Bryant its first lead of the weekend. Kelly followed with an RBI single to make it 5-3. 

Stats (Game 2)

• Logan Frasier struck out six over 4.0 innings. He allowed two runs on six hits.
• Coleman Picard tossed 3.0 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out three.
• Allegretti earned the win in relief. He allowed one unearned run over 2.0 innings.
• Kelly finished 3-for-5 with an RBI.
• Smith drove in three with his bases-clearing double in the ninth.
• Woods walked three times. 

Up Next
Bryant will welcome Central Connecticut to Conaty Park for a three-game series starting Friday.