Dramatic Seventh Inning Rally Fuels Bryant Doubleheader Sweep of Southern Connecticut

Seventh Inning Rally Sinks Owls, Propels Bulldogs to Doubleheader Sweep and 6-0 Conference Record; Enos Wins Record 40th Victory

April 1, 2008             Game 1 Box /  Game 2 Box

Smithfield, RI - Jessica Valentini's (Cliffside Park, NJ) RBI double capped a four run rally in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Bulldogs to a thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 victory over NE-10 rival Southern Connecticut. No comeback was necessary in game two as the Bulldogs jumped to an early 6-0 lead and cruised to a 8-0 mercy rule victory.

Senior Janine Enos tied Nicole Keene's school record for career victories with 40

On a rainy and windy afternoon at the Bryant Softball Complex, the Owls jumped on Bryant starter Janine Enos (Wareham, Mass.)for a run in the first inning and two more in the fourth. Enos (5-3) would go the full seven innings for the Bulldogs, allowing only one unearned run and striking out 8.

The Bulldogs only offense through the first six innings came on back to back doubles by Valentini and Anne Dobmeier (Buffalo, NY) in the second. The Bulldogs were then held scoreless by Owl starter Kerry Iacomini until the seventh inning.

Singles by Stephanie Mirando (North Haven, CT) and Ashley Coon (Levittown, PA) got the Bulldog rally going in the seventh. Mirando would come in on a passed ball before Jenna Jeffrey (Scarborough, ME), pinch running for Coon, was driven in by freshman pinch-hitter Alex Pearson (North Dighton, Mass.) on a single up the middle with a full count.

After another single by Jennifer Serrano (Stoneham, Mass.) a sacrifice fly by reigning NE-10 Player of the Week Kate Thomas (Bedford, NH) scored Kim Breton (Leominster, Mass.) who re-entered to run for Pearson with the tying run, before Valentini brought Serrano home with the game winning run.

Valentini finished the game three for three with an RBI and a run. Her two doubles moved her up to fourth place on the Bryant career list with 40, and she finished the day a combined 5-6. Coon and Dobmeier each also had two hits for the Dogs.

In game two, the Bulldogs battered two Owl pitchers for 8 runs in four and a third innings. The six-run outburst in the second was  highlighted by a bases clearing three-run double by Thomas. Mirando also knocked in two with a one-out single.

That was plenty of support for starter Samantha Houseal (Mount Joy, PA). The freshman (3-3) went five shutout innings, allowed four hits and struck out two.

The Bulldogs put the cap on the rainy afternoon with two more runs when Alison Chouinard (Swansea, Mass.) knocked a bases loaded single two score the necessary 8 runs to enact the mercy rule.  Chouinard finished the game 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

The Bulldogs will return to action Thursday with a doubleheader against Southern New Hampshire at the Softball Complex. The Bulldogs will be the visiting team, as the game was originally scheduled for Manchester, NH.