Bryant keeps rolling, knocks off Holy Cross

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Sophomore starting pitcher Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) recorded her seventh complete game while striking out three batters, as the Bryant University softball team won its 10-straight game with a 5-2 decision against Holy Cross Wednesday afternoon in Worcester, Mass.

Seven different Bulldogs recorded a hit and Hart issued just two runs, as the Bulldogs (15-11, 6-0) won their 13 game in the last 14 outings. Bryant's three-run victory over Holy Cross (10-13, 4-0 Patriot League) marks the second-straight season the Bulldogs have defeated the Crusaders and the third time in the last four meetings.

Taylor Bell (Tewksbury, Mass.) got things started for the Bryant lineup with a single through the left side of the infield. With a runner on first and one out, sophomore Kate Murray (Fitchburg, Mass.) belted her third double of the season into center field, moving Bell to third base. Freshman Amy Weinberg (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) would then deliver her sixth RBI of the season in the form of a single to right side of the diamond before Murray reached home plate on a throwing error by the right fielder to give Bryant a 2-0 edge.

Lindsay Martin (Methuen, Mass.) would then follow up with a double to center field, setting up second baseman Laura Bowen (Hudson, Mass.) for an eventual RBI single through the left side to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead after two.

Hart (7-4) would continue to keep the Crusaders off the scoreboard for the first three frames but Holy Cross' Sam Fergenti finally broke through with a two-run homer to cut the Bryant lead, 3-2, at the end of four innings.

Bryant would once again answer in the top of the sixth, as Murray reached base on a single to lead off the frame. Weinberg would then lay down a textbook sacrifice bunt, moving Murray to second. Martin followed up by reaching base on balls, setting up a one-out two-on situation for freshman slugger Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.). The Colorado native would deliver once again for the Bulldogs with her team-best third triple of the season, lifting the visitors to a 5-2 lead after six.

The Bryant defense would step up in the bottom half of the frame with a remarkable double play from Bowen and Bell to extinguish the Crusaders' late rally. Hart would keep Holy Cross off the scoreboard for the final two frames with two strikeouts to pick up her seventh win of the season.

Bryant moves to 15-11 overall on the season with the W and 5-4 in games played away from Smithfield, R.I. this season.

Mable's two-RBI performance gives the rookie a team-best 17 on the season while a remarkable six different Bulldogs have generated at least 10 RBIs through the first 26 games. As a team, Bryant has outscored its opponents 138-111 and 84-21 during the current win streak. Hart and senior Samantha Houseal (Mount Joy, Pa.) have now each earned seven wins, respectively, in 23 combined starts.

The Bulldogs look to continue their win streak Thursday, April 7 at Brown University. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from Providence, R.I. and fans can follow live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com.