Wainer, Petosa lift Bryant to win in America East opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Austin Wainer delivered 3.2 scoreless innings of relief and Carmine Petosa hit his first home run of the season as the Bryant University baseball team opened America East play with a 5-2 victory over NJIT on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

Friday marked Opening Day at Conaty Park and was Bryant's first-ever America East game. The Bulldogs improve to 9-8 overall and 1-0 in league play.

Wainer entered the game with the bases loaded, one out and a 2-0 count on the batter in the fourth. He was able to work out of the jam and went on to toss 3.2 scoreless innings of relief. Wainer struck out four and didn't issue a walk.

Offensively, Petosa (2-3, HR, 2RBI), Gavin Noriega (2-3, 2B, RBI) and Jake Gustin (2-4, RBI) all finished with two hits.

Game Information
Bryant 5, NJIT 2
Records: Bryant 9-8, 1-0 AE | NJIT 5-13, 0-1 AE
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Austin Wainer (2-2) | Ryan Fischer (0-4)

Key Moment

• With two runs already in, Wainer ended an NJIT threat by inducing an inning-ending 6-3 double play in the fourth.

How it Happened

• Bryant grabbed the lead with back-to-back doubles in the second. Dulin led off with a hustle double to right center and came around to score as Noriega blooped a double down the left field line.
• In the third, Petosa hit a high majestic two-run home run down the right field line to give Bryant a 3-0 lead.
• NJIT rallied in the top of the fourth, chasing Jeter. An error and three walks brought the first run home. Wainer then entered with a 2-0 count and got back even before a bloop single to center made it 3-2. Wainer then got a soft ground ball to short and Dulin fielded, stepped on the bag and fired to first for an inning-ending 6-3 double play.
• Bryant was able to get both back in the bottom of the fourth. A pair of walks opened the inning and Brian Schaub advanced both with a bunt. Gustin followed with a bloop single down the left field line for an RBI and Derek Smith beat out a double play ball to score a second run.  

Inside the Box Score

• Jeter allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits, walked four and struck out six.
• Wainer tossed
• Petosa went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
• Noriega had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.
• Gustin had two hits and drove in a run.

Game Notes

• Bryant and NJIT were meeting for the first time in program history.
• The game marked Bryant's home opener. The Bulldogs played their first 16 games on the road.
• It was also Bryant's first-ever America East game.
• Smith's 15-game on-base streak to start the year came to a close.
• Gustin extended his on-base streak to 25 games dating back to last season.
• Gustin now has 193 hits in his career.
• Petosa's home run was his first of the season and the seventh of his career.
• Jeter has now struck out 13 batters over his 10.1 innings.
• Wainer's 3.2 innings of relief matched his season high.

Up Next
Bryant and NJIT will meet in game two of the doubleheader.