SOFTBALL DROPS PAIR OF OPENING DAY GAMES AT THE LOUISIANA CLASSIC

February 12, 2010

Louisiana-Lafayette Boxscore / Bradley Boxscore

 SOFTBALL DROPS PAIR OF OPENING DAY GAMES AT THE LOUISIANA CLASSIC

SMITHFIELD, RI - The Bryant University softball team opened its 2010 season today at the 24th annual Louisiana Classic with losses to host institution No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette and Bradley University.

After an hour delay due to snow, Bryant (0-2) opened tournament action against the No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (1-0) on Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs were overmatched by a tough La. Lafayette squad as they fell 16-0 in five innings. Three Cajun pitchers combined to pitch a one-hit shutout in the victory over Bryant. Senior Kimberly Leonard (Milford, Mass.) broke up the Cajuns' no-hitter in the top of the fifth inning with a single up the middle. The Ragin' Cajuns hit two homeruns in the contest, including two from Christi Orgeron.

The Bulldogs battled back in the second game of doubleheader but fell just short losing 5-4 to Bradley University (2-0).

After being down 1-0 after one inning, Leonard reached base on a fielding error in the top of the third to start off the frame. Junior Regina Burdo (Wayne, Pa.) proceeded Leonard with a bunt single to put runners on first and second base with no outs. Following Ali Chouinard (Swansea, Mass.) grounding into a fielder's choice and a walk drawn by sophomore Lindsay Martin (Methuen, Mass.), tri-captain Ashley Coon (Levittown, Pa.) singled to centerfield to score Martin and earn the first Bulldog RBI of the season.

The Braves scored two runs in the third and one in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead into the top of the fifth inning. Burdo started the Bulldog rally with a leadoff walk in the top of the fifth inning. A Chouinard single moved the runners along before freshman Talia Zizza (Reading, Mass.) singled up the middle to score Burdo to bring the score to 4-2. Two Braves' errors enabled two more Bulldogs to score in the top of the fifth and knot things up at four apiece heading into the bottom of the inning.

Bradley scored one run in the top of the fifth to take a 5-4 lead and held off the Bulldogs as they left four on base over the last two innings of play.

Chouinard led the way for the Bulldogs going 2-3 at the plate, scored one run and drew one walk.

Junior tri-captain Samantha Houseal (Mount Joy, Pa.) pitched five innings and struck out five in the loss. Freshman Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) finished the game off with one inning pitched, striking out two.

Bryant plays Bradley again Saturday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. CT and will face Syracuse at 6:30 p.m. CT.