Bryant downs Merrimack, 8-4, on Wednesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Jake Gustin's grand slam broke open a tight game and the Bryant University baseball team went to an 8-4 victory over Merrimack on Wednesday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 22-18 overall and 11-1 at Conaty Park.

Gustin finished the day with a season-high five RBI, clubbing a sixth-inning grand slam. Zac Zyons posted two hits and two runs scored, and made a highlight-reel catch in right. John Hosmer added his team-leading ninth home run of the year.

Tyler Tornberg tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory. Ryan Bradley struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief.  

Game Information
Bryant 8, Merrimack 4
Records: Bryant 22-18| Merrimack 15-26
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Tornberg (2-0) | Broderick

Key Moments

• Zyons raced back to the right field wall and made an acrobatic catch, crashing into the wall to save a home run.
• Gustin provided some breathing room with a grand slam in the sixth.     

How it Happened

• Merrimack opened the scoring with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the first.
• Carmine Petosa got Bryant on the board with sac fly in the bottom of the first.
• Hosmer then tied the game with a laser over the left field wall in the second.
• Lewis Barnum stroked a single in the bottom of the third to score Gustin and make it 3-2.
• A Gustin ground out made it 4-2 in the fourth.
• In the fifth, Golankiewicz hit a drive towards the right field line. Zyons raced over and jumped at the last moment. He made the grab with his left arm fully extended before crashing into the wall.
• The Warrior were able to score a run in the inning to make it a one-run game.
• In the bottom of the sixth, a single, HBP and a bunt single loaded the bases for Gustin. He then stroked a 2-1 pitch over the right field wall for a grand slam.
• Bryant's bullpen was able to close it out the rest of the way.   

Inside the Box Score

• Logan Frasier started and allowed three runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out two and didn't issue a walk.
• Tornberg tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, retiring all five batters he faced.
• Bradley struck out two in a scoreless seventh.
• Toby Scheidt and Liam LeVangie each tossed an inning to close it out.
• Gustin finished 2-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBI.
• Zyons batted leadoff for the first time and posted two hits and two runs scored.
• Hosmer homered for the ninth time this season.
• Hackett finished with a pair of runs scored.

Game Notes

• Bryant won two-of-three against Merrimack this season.
• Bryant improves to 11-1 at home this season.
• Gustin extended his on-base streak to 19 games and his hitting streak to 16 games.
• Gustin's home run was his sixth of the year and the 19^th of his career.
• Gustin is now fifth all-time in hits (229), alone in sixth in home runs (19) and tied for third in runs scored (172).
• Zyons has now hit safely in nine-straight games.
• Hosmer's home run was his ninth of the year and the 27^th of his collegiate career.

Up Next
Bryant will open a home-and-home series with Central Connecticut on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.