BULLDOGS DROP TWO ON SECOND DAY OF REBEL GAMES

March 08, 2010

 BULLDOGS DROP TWO ON SECOND DAY OF REBEL GAMES

SMITHFIELD, RI - After splitting on the first day of action at the Rebel Games, the Bryant University softball team faced two tough opponents on the second day and came up just short in both games.  

The Bulldogs (1-8) opened action on day two of the Rebel Games against Patriot League affiliate, Lehigh University (5-3). The Mountain Hawks held the Bulldogs to only three hits in the contest. Lehigh scored one run in the third, three in the fifth and one in the sixth inning to take a 5-0 lead heading into the final inning of play.

The Bulldogs were able to battle back but fell three runs short as they picked up two in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman Kelly Cocco (Vernon, Conn.) got the action started in the final inning as she picked up a leadoff single. Senior tri-captain Ashley Coon (Levittown, Pa.) hit a triple to score Cocco and pick up the first Bryant RBI of the game. Sophomore Lauren McCart (Voorhees, N.J.) laid down a sacrifice bunt which scored Coon and concluded the scoring for the Black and Gold as they fell, 5-2, to the Mountain Hawks.

Freshman Jennifer Jacob (Deer Park, N.Y.) pitched five innings in the game and was relieved by Cocco.

In the Bulldogs second game of the doubleheader they faced a talented Butler (7-2) squad.  The Bulldogs from Indiana picked up two runs in the third, three in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh as they went on to defeat the Black and Gold, 8-4.

Bryant picked up one run in the second inning with heads up base running by Coon, who scored on an overthrow.

In the fifth, Laura Bowen (Hudson, Mass.) doubled to lead off the inning, stole third and also scored on an overthrow.

Butler added one in the top of the seventh to bring their run total to eight.

Entering the seventh inning the Black and Gold were down 8-2 with Bowen leading off once again. Bowen reached base and was moved over as junior Regina Burdo (Wayne, Pa.) was hit by a pitch in the next at bat. Senior shortstop Ali Chouinard (Swansea, Mass.) grounded the ball between second and short and hustled down to first to beat out the throw for an infield single. Butler's first baseman tried to catch Bowen out at third but overthrew her third baseman allowing Bowen to score the Bulldogs' third run of the game. Freshman Kate Murray (Fitchburg, Mass.) hit a double in the next Bryant at bat to plate Burdo and bring the final score to 8-4.

Burdo, who had one double, and Chouincard both went 2-4 in the game. Murray also picked up a double in the loss.

Freshman Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) threw 3.1 innings in the start while Cocco and Jacob finished off the action on the hill.