Bryant rallies past Binghamton, claims weekend series

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Justin Hackett drove in Matt Smith in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Bryant University baseball team a come-from-behind victory, 6-5, over Binghamton on Sunday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 25-20 overall and 12-9 in the America East. Bryant won the series with the Bearcats and finished 14-2 at Conaty Park this season.

Bryant trailed 4-0 after 2 ½ and 5-4 heading into the seventh inning on Sunday. Carmine Petosa tied the game at 4-4 with a three-run home run in the third, while Lewis Barnum's two-out RBI single tied the game in the seventh. Matt Smith extended the eighth inning with a two-out single and scored the eventual winning run on an a two-out infield single from Hackett.

Austin Wainer and Matthew Stansky combined to allow just one run over 6.0 innings of relief. Wainer allowed one run on four hits over 4.0 innings, while Stansky earned the win with 2.0 scoreless innings of relief.

Game Information
Bryant 6, Binghamton 5
Records: Bryant 25-20, 12-9 | Binghamton 25-19, 11-10
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Stansky (2-1) | Collins

Key Moments

• Hackett was able to fist a ground ball to deep second in the eighth, scoring Smith the game-winning run.    

How it Happened

• Binghamton jumped out quickly in the finale with two runs in the first and two more in the second. A pair of RBI singles made it 2-0 in the first, while a pair of infield singles made it 4-0 after two.
• In the third, Jake Gustin scored Hackett with a double down the right field line. Two batters later, Petosa hit a three-run home run down the right field line to tie the game at 4-4.
• It remained tied until the Bearcats scored on a sac fly in the sixth.
• In the seventh, Gustin doubled and came around to score on a two-out single to right center from Barnum.
• Bryant then took the lead in the eighth. Smith fouled off several two-strike pitches before blooping a single into shallow left. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and then took off as Hackett muscled a ground ball to the right side. The Binghamton second baseman made a sliding effort on the play but could not make the play. Smith raced all the way around from second to score and make it 6-5.
• Stansky closed the door in the ninth, retiring the Bearcats in order.  

Inside the Box Score

• Ken Turner allowed three runs on six hits over 3.0 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
• Wainer tossed 4.0 innings of relief. He allowed one run on four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
• Stansky retired six of the seven batters he faced in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief.
• Gustin went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.
• Petosa finished 1-for-3 with the three-run home run.
• Hackett went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.  

Game Notes

• Bryant won the weekend series, 2-1. The Bulldogs and Bearcats split six regular-season meetings.
• Bryant finished 14-2 at Conaty Park this season. The Bulldogs finished with an .875 winning percentage at home, the second-best in DI program history (2017 – 17-1).
• Gustin extended his on-base streak to 24 games.
• Gustin's two doubles give him 48 for his career, tying him with AJ Zarozny for fourth in DI program history.
• Gustin also moved into sole possession of second place with 180 career runs. He is eight behind Nick Angelini (188).
• Zyons saw his 13-game hitting streak come to a close.
• Petosa's home run was his sixth of the season.
• Wainer has allowed just three earned runs over his last seven outings (17.1 innings).

Up Next
Bryant will play its final four regular season games on the road, starting Tuesday at Stonehill. The Bulldogs will close out America East play at Maine starting on Thursday.