Bryant wins series opener vs UMBC, 4-3, on Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Justin Hackett scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the eighth and Zach Nichols stranded the bases loaded in the ninth as the Bryant baseball team held on to defeat UMBC, 4-3, in their series opener on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The Bulldogs improve to 13-10 overall and 3-1 in the America East with the victory. Bryant and UMBC wrap up their series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 12:00 p.m.

On Friday, Bryant grabbed a 3-1 lead with two runs in the sixth but the Retrievers rallied to tie the game in the seventh. Hackett then turned a 5-3 inning-ending double play to help keep the game tied. In the eighth, Hackett took off for third on a 1-2 pitch with two outs and scampered home as the throw went down the left field line.

Game Information
Bryant 4, UMBC 3
Records: Bryant 13-10, 3-1 AE | UMBC 10-12, 3-1 AE
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Jack Pletter (1-0) | Wiley | Zach Nichols (5)

Key Moments

• Hackett turned an inning-ending 5-3 double play to end UMBC's rally in the seventh. He then stole third and scored on a throwing error to give Bryant the lead in the eighth.

How it Happened

• UMBC took the lead in the second as a balk put a runner in scoring position for Kyle Eddington to single home.
• Bryant would tie the game in the third as Gavin Noriega reached second and then scored on a soft infield single up the middle by Brandyn Durand.
• The game would stay tied until the sixth when the Bulldogs pushed across two. Zac Zyons walked and Hackett followed with a double to put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd. Gavin Greger then drove a 1-2 pitch to right for a sac fly and Chris Einemann tripled off the wall in center to make it 3-1.
• UMBC quickly answered, as the first four batters of the 7^th reached. Back-to-back RBI singles by Matthew Best and Justin Taylor tied the game. Jack Pletter then got a fly ball to left for the first out and induced a soft ground ball to third that Hackett turned into an inning-ending 5-3 double play.
• In the eighth, Hackett walked and moved to second on a sac bunt. He then took off for third on a 1-2 pitch and raced home as the ball got by the third baseman.
• In the ninth, the first two UMBC batters reached. Nichols then entered and fired a bunt to third to get the lead runner. A two-out walk loaded the bases for UMBC's best hitter but Zyons was able to make a nice over the shoulder grab in shallow right for the final out.

Inside the Box Score

• Each team finished with eight hits.
• UMBC made three errors.
• Austin Wainer allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in 6.0+ innings. He walked two and struck out two.
• Jack Pletter allowed no runs on three hits over 2.0 innings of relief.
• Nichols recorded the final three outs to earn his fifth save.
• Noriega picked up a pair of hits and scored a run.
• Hackett finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored. He reached safely all four at-bats.
• Reigning AE Pitcher of the Year Luke Johnson allowed three runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out six in 6.0 innings for UMBC.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 3-1 all-time vs UMBC. All four games have been played at Conaty Park.
• All four of Bryant's AE games have been one-run contests. The Bulldogs are 7-3 in 1-run games this year.
• Carmine Petosa extended his on-base streak to 23 games this season and 26 dating back to last season.
• Noriega also extended his on-base streak to 23 games
• Wainer matched his career high in innings pitched.
• Nichols' save was his league-leading fifth of the year.
• Pletter picked up his first win as a Bulldog. It's his first win since April 22, 2023 when he was at Colby.

Up Next
Bryant and UMBC wrap up their weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Both games are scheduled for nine innings and first pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m.