Durand's 3-run homer rallies Bryant past Merrimack on Tuesday

ANDOVER, Mass. – Brandyn Durand's three-run home run in the top of the eighth propelled the Bryant baseball team to 6-5 victory over Merrimack on Tuesday afternoon at Lawrence Tech.

The Bulldogs improve to 12-10 overall with their second come-from-behind win over Merrimack this season. Bryant returns to America East play this weekend, hosting UMBC in a three-game series starting on Friday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, Bryant trailed 4-3 entering the eighth inning but rallied behind Durand. Chris Einemann doubled to center to start the inning and Zac Zyons walked to put two on. After a ground out, Durand launched a no-doubter to left field to give Bryant a 6-4 lead.

Bryant's bullpen was lights out in the contest, limiting the Warriors to just one run on two hits over the final 7.2 innings. Jared Burrows stranded a pair of runners in the seventh to earn his third win of the season, while Zach Nichols earned his fourth save.

Game Information
Bryant 6, Merrimack 5
Records: Bryant 12-10 | Merrimack 6-16
Location: Lawrence Tech (Andover, Mass.)
W|L|S: Jared Burrows (3-3) | Fuller | Zach Nichols (4)

Key Moments

• Durand gave Bryant a 6-4 lead with a three-run home run in the top of the eighth.

How it Happened

• Gavin Noriega opened the scoring in the first as he launched his eighth home run of the year to right center.
• The Warriors responded by scoring four times in the bottom of the first. D. Bryce's three-run home run made it 3-1. A fourth run scored on a fielder's choice.
• Bryant would trim the lead to one on solo home runs from Daniel Baruch in the third and Einemann in the sixth.
• Burrows then entered with a man on and two outs in the seventh. He walked the first batter but got a deep fly out to left field to keep Merrimack off the board.
• In the top of the eighth, Einemann (2B) and Zyons (BB) reached to open the inning. Durand then launched a three-run home run to left field to make it 6-4.
• Merrimack got a run back in the ninth on a home run but Nichols was able to get a strikeout and a ground out to end the game.

Inside the Box Score

• Bryant outhit Merrimack, 8-5.
• The Bulldogs hit four home runs in the game.
• Durand homered and drove in three.
• Noriega, Baruch and Einemann all homered. Einemann added a double and scored twice.
• Carmine Petosa picked up a pair of singles.
• Colin Brodeur started and allowed four runs (three earned) over 1.1 innings.
• Landon White (1.2), Mark Scamardella (1.0), Liam LeVangie (1.0), Sean Zaslaw (1.0), Ryan Bradley (0.2), Burrows (1.1) and Zach Nichols (1.0) closed the door in relief. The group allowed just one run on two hits, walked four and struck out eight.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 11-2 vs Merrimack at the DI level.
• The Bulldogs have now won six games when trailing in the seventh inning or later this season.
• Bryant's four home runs match its season high.
• Carmine Petosa extended his on-base streak to 22 games this season and 25 dating back to last season.
• Noriega also extended his on-base streak to 22 games with his team-leading eighth home run of the season.
• Baruch's home run was his third of the season.
• Durand hit his fourth home run of the year.
• Einemann's home run was his first as a Bulldog and the third of his collegiate career.
• Burrows now leads the team with three wins.
• Nichols picks up his fourth save of the season.

Up Next
Bryant welcomes UMBC to Conaty Park for an America East series this weekend. The series begins Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.