Bryant downs UMBC on Sunday, wins series

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team used a pair of three-run innings to earn an 8-5 victory over UMBC on Sunday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 15-16 overall and 6-6 in the America East. The win also secured Bryant's second AE series victory.

Derek Smith picked up two hits, including a bases-clearing double that gave Bryant a 5-3 lead in the fourth. Jake Gustin added his fifth home run of the year, Gavin Noriega drove in two and Zac Zyons reached safely three times and scored twice.

Toby Scheidt picked up his first collegiate victory with 2.0 scoreless innings of relief.   

Game Information
Bryant 8, UMBC 5
Records: Bryant 15-16, 6-6 | UMBC 15-17, 6-6
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Scheidt | Remy

Key Moments

• Smith stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth and ripped a bases-clearing double into the left field corner to give the Bulldogs a 5-3 lead.

How it Happened

• Bryant scored twice without the benefit of a hit in the first. Two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with no outs. Noriega then hit a ground ball to short that the Retrievers flipped to second for one. The relay to first was thrown away, allowing a second run to score.
• UMBC tied the game in the second as Anthony Swenda hit a two-run home run to left field.
• The Retrievers took the lead in the fourth as Matt Ryan hit a solo home run.
• Bryant grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the frame. Justin Hackett doubled off the left field wall and Zyons and Gustin walked to load the bases. Smith then smashed one inside the third base bag and into the left field corner for a bases-clearing double to make it 5-3.
• The Bulldogs expanded their lead with three more runs in the sixth. Zyons was hit by a pitch and Gustin followed with a two-run home run just to the left of the scoreboard. Lewis Barnum then tripled and scored on a sac fly from Gavin Noriega, making it 8-3.  
• UMBC rallied in the ninth, plating two runs. Matthew Stansky was able to put out the fire.

Inside the Box Score

• Ken Turner tossed 4.0 innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out three.
• Toby Scheidt tossed 2.0 scoreless, striking out two. He allowed three hits.
• Liam LeVangie pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth. He didn't allow a hit.
• Gustin finished 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored.
• Smith had two hits, including a three-run double.
• Noriega finished with two RBI.
• Zyons reached safely three times and scored twice.

Game Notes

• Bryant won its second America East series of the season.
• Bryant improves to 5-1 at home this year.
• Smith extended his hitting streak to 12 games, a new career high.
• Gustin's home run was the 18^th of his career. He is now tied with Matt Albanese, Buck McCarthy and Shane Kelly for sixth in DI program history.
• Barnum collected his first-career triple.
• Scheidt earned his first-career victory.  

Up Next
Bryant welcomes Merrimack to Conaty Park on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.