Bryant rallies past Sacred Heart, 7-4, on Tuesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant Baseball team rallied from 3-1 down in the sixth inning to earn a 7-4 victory over regional rival Sacred Heart on Tuesday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The Bulldogs improve to 9-9 overall, moving back to .500 before opening America East play this weekend against defending champ Maine.

Jackson Phinney scored on a wild pitch to tie the game in the seventh and Daniel Baruch gave Bryant the lead for good with a two-run double. The Bulldogs scored six runs in their final three at-bats.

Phinney finished 2-of-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Gavin Noriega and Brandyn Durand each scored twice. Landon White, Liam LeVangie and Zach Nichols allowed just one run, struck out nine and walked just one to close the door.

Game Information
Bryant 7, Sacred Heart 4
Records: Bryant 9-9 | Sacred Heart 7-11
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Liam LeVangie (2-1) | Kane (0-1) | Zach Nichols (3)

Key Moments

• Baruch broke a 3-3 tie with a two-strike, two-out, two-run double to right field in the seventh.

How it Happened

• Sacred Heart scored first on a two-out single up the middle in the first.
• Bryant tied the game in the second as Phinney scored Durand with a sac fly.
• The Pioneers grabbed the lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth. In the fourth, a throwing error allowed a run to score, while a safety squeeze made it 3-1 in the fifth.
• Bryant got a run back in the sixth as Durand scored Noriega with a ground ball to third base.
• The Bulldogs then scored three times in the seventh to take the lead. Back-to-back two-out walks loaded the bases and extended the inning for Baruch. A 1-2 pitch to Baruch then reached the backstop, scoring Phinney with the tying run. Baruch then hammered the next pitch to the wall in right for a two-run double to make it 5-3.
• Sacred Heart then opened the eighth with back-to-back doubles to make it 5-4 but LeVangie was able to escape further damage. A line drive to third was the first out and then Shea Grady reached into the home dugout for the second out. LeVangie ended the inning with a strikeout.
• Bryant added two insurance runs in the eighth on an RBI double from Phinney and an RBI single from Chris Einemann.

Inside the Box Score

• Bryant outhit Sacred Heart, 7-6.
• Noriega walked twice and scored twice.
• Baruch doubled home two and was also hit by a pitch.
• Durand went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and two runs scored.
• Phinney finished 2-of-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
• Colin Brodeur made his first start, allowing one run on two hits in 2.0 innings.
• Bradley Lewis allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits over 2.2 innings. He walked two and struck out two.
• Landon White retired all four batters he faced, striking out three.
• LeVangie struck out three over 2.0 innings of one-run relief to earn the win.
• Nichols struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save.

Game Notes

• Bryant improves to 35-17 against Sacred Heart.
• The Black and Gold are now 6-2 at home this season.
• Carmine Petosa extended his on-base streak to 18 games this season and 21 dating back to last season.
• Noriega also extended his on-base streak to 18 games.
• Brodeur made just the second start of his collegiate career.
• Lewis' outing was the longest of his career.
• White made his season debut on the mound.
• Durand has now doubled in three-straight games.
• Phinney collected multiple hits for the third time this year.

Up Next
Bryant opens America East play on Friday as it welcomes defending champion Maine to Conaty Park. First pitch on Friday is set for 3:00 p.m.