Noriega's home run lifts Bryant to 7-3 win on Sunday

UNION, N.J. – Gavin Noriega's two-run home run in the top of the sixth highlighted a late-inning rally as the Bryant University baseball team picked up a 7-3 victory over NJIT on Sunday morning.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 21-18 overall and 10-8 in the America East. Bryant's victory salvaged a weekend that began Friday with a pair of walk-off losses.

Noriega's two-run home run gave Bryant a 3-2 lead in the sixth and the Black and Gold went on to add three runs in the seventh and an insurance run in the ninth. Carmine Petosa added two hits and three runs scored, while Zac Zyons also drove in a pair of runs.

Toby Scheidt, Matthew Stansky and Liam LeVangie combined for 4.2 innings of one-run relief. Stansky fanned five over 3.0 innings of relief.

Game Information
Bryant 7, NJIT 3
Records: Bryant 21-18, 10-8 | NJIT 18-23, 8-7
Location: Hynes Stadium (Union, N.J.)
W|L|S: Scheidt | Georgini

Key Moments

• Petosa gave Bryant a 3-2 lead with a two-run home run in the sixth.
• Matthew Stansky picked out of trouble in the seventh and eighth to preserve the lead.    

How it Happened

• Bryant got on the board first as Jacob Gaudreau drilled a 3-2 pitch into right center for a double, scoring Matt Smith from first.
• The Highlanders tied the game in the third and a took a 2-1 lead in the fifth.
• In the sixth, Petosa walked to open the inning. Noriega then squared to bunt but pulled back and lifted a high fly ball to right field that cleared the wall for a two-run home run.
• In the seventh, Jake Gustin walked with two outs to extend the inning. Derek Smith followed with a deep fly ball to center that caromed away for an RBI triple. The Bulldogs then loaded the bases and Zac Zyons brought in two with a ground-rule double to right.
• The Highlanders then loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh but Stansky got a pair of ground outs to limit the damage to one run.
• In the eighth, NJIT put runners on second and third with one out but Stansky struck out back-to-back batters to end the threat.
• Petosa gave the Black and Gold an insurance run with a solo home run off the foul pole in the top of the ninth.
• Liam LeVangie came on in the ninth to close the door.   

Inside the Box Score

• Ken Turner allowed two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
• Toby Scheidt recorded a pair of outs.
• Stansky tossed 3.0 innings of one-run relief. He walked two and struck out five.
• LeVangie tossed a scoreless ninth.
• Petosa finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three runs scored.
• Noriega posted two hits, including a home run.
• Zyons drove in two with a double.

Game Notes

• Bryant won the season series with NJIT, 4-2.
• Gustin extended his on-base streak to 18 games and his hitting streak to 15 games.
• Petosa has now hit five home runs this season. Four of his five home runs have come against NJIT.
• Petosa has now hit safely in each of his last seven games. He posted multiple hits in all three games at NJIT.
• Noriega homered for the third time this year. It was his first home run since Mar. 11 at Davidson.
• Stansky's outing was his longest since he went 3.0 innings on Feb. 15, 2020.
• Zyons has now hit safely in eight-straight games. He has nine RBI in those eight games.

Up Next
Bryant will welcome nationally-ranked Boston College on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.