Posted: Apr 12, 2012

Bryant hosts BC Thursday afternoon

Bulldogs host Eagles in non-conference action Thursday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to extend its season-high three-game winning streak, the Bryant University softball team welcomes Boston College to Smithfield, R.I., for a Thursday afternoon tilt at the Bryant Softball Complex at Conaty Park. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

The Bulldogs (10-17, 3-3 Northeast Conference) are coming off an undefeated week of play after edging Boston University, 3-2, on April 4 and sweeping a conference doubleheader against Wagner College over the weekend. The Eagles (19-16, 1-8 ACC) will be looking to snap a five-game slide since last tasting victory on March 31.

Despite trailing in the all-time series, 1-3, the Bulldogs took their first win (6-3) against the Eagles in a single-game showdown in Chestnut Hill, Mass., last April. In that contest, senior Lauren McCart (Voorhees, N.J.) sparked the visitors with a solo home run, while sophomore Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored to aid the Bulldogs on the offensive end. Junior Jennifer Jacob (Deer Park, N.Y.), meanwhile, came in for the save with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh and struck out the final batter of the game to seal the deal.

The Eagles dropped all three games against fellow ACC foe NC State in Raleigh, N.C., last weekend, as the Wolfpack took identical 10-3 victories on Saturday (April 7) before finishing the sweep with a 7-1 win on Sunday. BC has won just once in conference play on nine occasions and has gone just 3-10 away from Shea Field this year.

Senior catcher Brittany Wilkins leads the BC offense with a team-high .370 batting average to compliment 22 RBI and 34 hits. Wilkins has gone yard five times and scored 17 runs on the year. Junior pitcher Nicole D'Argento not only boasts solid pitching numbers (1.45 ERA, 2-0 overall record, two saves), but is a force at the plate with a .339 batting average and a team-high 24 RBI and 37 hits. Graduate student Rene Delagrammaticas is a threat on the base paths with a perfect 9-for-9 mark on the season in stolen bases.

The Eagle pitching staff sports a team ERA of 3.75, led by senior Morgan Kidd's 1.45 ERA and 2-0 record through seven starts and 38 and 2/3 innings on the year. Along with D'Argento and sophomore Amanda Horowitz – who earned a team-high 24 starts and sports an 8-8 record and 4.99 ERA – the Eagles have struck out 164 batters on the year while issuing 121 walks.

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