Hackett homers twice but Bulldogs fall to UMBC, 6-5

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Justin Hackett homered twice but a five-run sixth inning from UMBC led the Retrievers to a 6-5 victory over the Bryant University baseball team on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 13-16 overall and 4-6 in America East play. Bryant has dropped five-straight games.

Hackett hit his first two career home runs, including a two-run shot in the ninth as Bryant rallied late. He finished with three RBI. Jake Gustin also homered and doubled twice.  

Game Information
UMBC 6, Bryant 5
Records: Bryant 13-16, 4-6 | UMBC 15-15, 6-4
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Johnson | LeVangie | Kelly

Key Moments

• Bryant held a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Liam LeVangie induced a ground ball up the middle that appeared to be an inning-ending double play. The last hop caused the ball to take off and go into center for a single. The Retrievers would score five runs in the inning.

How it Happened

• Bryant grabbed the lead with back-to-back doubles in the third. Gustin sliced a double over the head of the shortstop and Smith followed with a double to right center.
• UMBC tied the game with a solo home run in the fifth.
• Bryant retook the lead in the bottom of the inning as Hackett and Gustin hit back-to-back home runs to make it 3-1. Hackett's first collegiate home run was to dead center, while Gustin homered down the right field line.
• In the top of the sixth, Bryant seemed destined to get out of the inning but a double-play ball took a bad hop at the end and went into center for a single. The Retrievers would go on to score five runs in the inning. A wild pitch brought in a run and a two-run home run gave UMBC a 4-3 lead. The Retrievers added to the lead with a pair of two-out bloop singles.
• Bryant rallied in the ninth with two outs. Jackson Phinney drew a two-out walk and Hackett followed with a two-run home run to left field. Gustin then doubled to left center and Smith was walked to put two on. Gavin Noriega then hit a hot smash but it went right to the second baseman to end the inning.

Inside the Box Score

• Kyle Rizy started but left with one on in the second. He allowed no runs on two hits.
• Mark Scamardella came on in relief and allowed one run over 2.2 innings of relief. He walked two and struck out a career-high five.
• Liam LeVangie allowed four runs on three hits over 1.1 innings of relief.
• Matthew Stansky fired 1.2 innings of one-run relief, while M.T. Morrissey and Tyler Tornberg notched scoreless innings.
• Hackett homered twice and drove in three runs.
• Gustin had three hits, including a home run and two doubles.
• Smith reached three times with a double and two walks.

Game Notes

• Bryant and UMBC were meeting for the first time in program history.
• The Bulldogs were playing just their fourth home game of the season.
• Smith extended his hitting streak to 10 games, one shy of his career high.
• Hackett's home runs were the first two of his career.
• Gustin's home run was his 17^th career home run, tying him for ninth in DI program history.
• Gustin's now has 45 career doubles, moving him past Jordan Mountford and into sole possession of seventh in DI program history.
• Scamardella registered career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts.

Up Next
Bryant and UMBC continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.