Bulldogs edge BU 3-2 Wednesday

Bulldogs nip Terriers, 3-2, to split season series

BOSTON – Led by a two-run home run by senior infielder Laura Bowen (Hudson, Mass.), the Bryant University softball team edged Boston University, 3-2, on Wednesday afternoon in non-league action at the BU Softball Field in Boston.

By virtue of the win, the Bulldogs move to 8-17 on the season and split the two-game season series against the Terriers, who fall to 20-12 on the year.

Bowen's blast came at the most opportune of times, as the senior went yard with her team behind by two runs in the top of the fifth to draw the game even at 2-2. One inning later, the Black and Gold manufactured one final run that proved to be the difference in a game that had a much different look than the 13-3 slugfest that went in favor of the Terriers earlier this season in Smithfield, R.I.

Junior Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) was marvelous on the mound, as the righty scattered seven hits and went the distance while striking out a season-high three batters to improve to 4-5 on the season.

Her counterpart, Erin Schuppert, was charged with the loss after going five innings while surrendering three runs. The sophomore struck out four and walked two for the Terriers. Classmate Holli Floetker worked two innings of scoreless ball and struck out one while yielding two hits.

After two scoreless frames to start the game, the Bulldogs threatened in the top of the third after Schuppert plunked Lindsay Martin (Methuen, Mass.) to put the leadoff runner aboard. Following a fielding error on a bunt, the Bulldogs had a second-and-third, one-out situation, but the Terriers managed to escape from the jam unscathed.

BU struck in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead. After Melanie Delgado led off the inning with a single to left field, back-to-back bunts pushed runners to second and third. Megan Volpano then reached on an error that allowed both runners to score on the play.

But the Bulldogs drew even in the top of the fifth after Bowen smashed her second home run of the season – and 15^th of her career – to deep left with a runner on base to tie the contest at 2-2.

The Bulldogs took a lead they would never relinquish in the top of the sixth, as sophomore Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.) led off the inning with a single to third. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to second, junior Kate Murray (Fitchburg, Mass.) singled to short to put runners at the corners. Coming in to pinch hit, sophomore Amy Weinberg (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice to put the Bulldogs in front by a run (3-2).

In the bottom of the frame, Hart was at her best in the midst of a second-and-third, two-out jam. The junior escaped unscathed by striking out back-to-back batters to keep the Terriers off the board.

Then in the seventh, freshman Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) ended the game on a throwout from left to nail BU designated player Erica Casacci at second, who singled and tried to stretch the play into a double but was gunned down to end the game.

The Bulldogs return to action this weekend with a league doubleheader on the road against Wagner. The two-game set is slated for Saturday (April 7) with first pitch set for 12 p.m.

For continuing coverage of Bryant University softball, check back online at www.bryantbulldogs.com; also follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.