Schaub's three-run homer lifts Bryant to doubleheader sweep

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Brian Schaub's three-run home run in the sixth inning broke a 3-3 tie and lifted the Bryant University baseball team to a 7-3 victory and a doubleheader sweep of NJIT on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs won both ends of Friday's twinbill, taking game one 5-2. Bryant is now 10-8 overall and 2-0 in America East play.

Schaub belted his third home run of the year as Bryant scored four times in the sixth inning. He finished 2-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Jake Gustin added a pair of hits, reached base four times and scored twice.

Ken Turner and Brett Wichrowski combined to limit NJIT to three runs on nine hits. Turner struck out four over 5.0 innings, while Wichrowski fanned six over 4.0 scoreless innings of relief.

Game Information
Bryant 7, NJIT 3
Records: Bryant 10-8, 2-0 AE | NJIT 5-14, 0-2 AE
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Brett Wichrowski (2-0) | Grant Vurpillat (0-1)

Key Moment

• Schaub broke a 3-3 tie with a long three-run home run to left center in the bottom of the sixth inning.

How it Happened

• Bryant plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead early. Gustin and Smith walked to open the inning and Gustin scored on an error. Smith scored the second run on a sac fly from John Hosmer.
• NJIT was able to tie the game in the top of the second. An infield ground out plated the first run and Ty Sallie tied the game with a hard single to right. Schaub made a great play on the ball, throwing to second to get Sallie.
• The Highlanders took the lead with two-out RBI single in the fifth.
• Bryant quickly answered as Schaub doubled to start the fifth and came in on a Smith sac fly.
• Wichrowski kept the game tied in the top of the sixth, painting the outside corner on a 3-2 pitch to strand two runners.
• In the bottom of the inning, Noriega singled and Barnum walked to put two runners on. Schaub then launched a monstrous three-run home run to left center to make it 6-3. Bryant would add a fourth run on a Petosa RBI fielder's choice.  

Inside the Box Score

• Ken Turner allowed three runs on seven hits over 5.0 innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four.
• Wichrowski earned the win with 4.0 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out six.
• Schaub went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
• Gustin went 2-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored.

Game Notes

• Bryant completed its doubleheader sweep of NJIT with the victory.
• Bryant has now played a doubleheader in each of the last four weekend series.
• Bryant improved to 2-0 at home this season.
• Including it's time in the Northeast Conference, Bryant has now won or split 86 of its 93 conference series since 2009.
• Gustin extended his on-base streak to 26 games dating back to last season.
• Gustin now has 195 hits in his career.
• Schaub's home run was his third of the year and the 39^th of his career.
• Turner has now tossed 5.0 innings in each of his last three starts and has allowed three runs or less in four of his six starts.
• Wichrowski has now thrown 4.0 innings of relief in each of his last two outings.
• Wichrowski has now struck out 22 in 17.1 innings this season.

Up Next
Bryant and NJIT will conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.