Connor Collects 200th Career Hit; Bulldogs Defeat Dowling 6-2 in NCAA Opener
Bulldog Seniors Come Up Large in Opening Round NCAA Regional Win, 6-2 Over Dowling
May 11, 2007 Box Score
BROOKVILLE, NY - The record-breaking senior class of the Bryant Bulldogs turned in an impressive performance in today's NCAA Regional opener, powering the Bulldogs to a 6-2 win over Dowling. Seniors Lindsay Connor (West Haven, CT), Amanda Gagne (Wilbraham, Mass.), Amanda Wilbur (Lakeville, Mass.), and Briana Durborow (Ringoes, NJ) all notched hits in the win. Gagne was 3 of 4 with 2 RBI in the victory.
Junior Janine Enos (Wareham, Mass.) turned in a strong performance, going the distance and allowing just 5 hits and 2 runs to put the Bulldogs into the winner's bracket of the NCAA Tournament.
It was also an historic day for senior Connor, who roped a double to right field in the sixth for her 200th career hit. She joins teammate Wilbur as the only two Bulldogs in history with that many hits.
The Bulldogs jumped on top of the Golden Lions in the first inning, scoring three runs off Jackie Rogers, who entered the game 14-4 with 0.69 ERA. Bryant took advantage of suspect Dowling defense, capitalizing on two errors and a misplayed liner to left field that resulted in a Jessica Valentini (Cliffside Park, NJ) double.
Connor, Wilbur, and Valentini scored runs in the first, the last of which came on an Ashley Coon (Fairless Hills, PA) double.
The Golden Lions got two of the runs back on a long home run by Taras Wallace, but an inning later Gagne drove in Connor for a 4-2 lead in the top of the second.
The second inning could have been worse for Dowling, but Wallace threw out Gagne at the plate to end the inning and strand two runners.
Gagne, playing designated player, then took over on offense. She singled in a run in the top of the second and knocked her home run in the fifth.
The home run effectively ended the day for Dowling starter Jackie Rogers (14-5), who entered the game with 14 wins and a 0.78 ERA. The Bulldogs touched her up for 5 runs (3 earned) and 8 hits in five innings.
In contrast to the Lions, the Bulldogs played exceptional defense. Freshman Alison Chouinard made a spectacular diving stab of a line drive by Kristen Demeo and doubled up runner Jacqueline Lucedo, stifling a potential rally.
The game was a rematch of the 2005 NCAA Regional opening game in which Dowling mercy-ruled the Bulldogs 9-0 in Syracuse, NY.
Enos (12-8) went the distance for the Bulldogs, settling down after the rough first inning. From the second inning through the sixth, she only allowed one hit. The Lions managed a pair of hits in the seventh, but stranded two runners.
The Bulldogs will return to action Friday at 4:30pm against the winner of today's C.W. Post/Southern Connecticut matchup.