Softball hosts intrastate rival PC Tuesday

Softball hosts Providence in non-league action Tuesday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Returning to the friendly confines of Smithfield, R.I., the Bryant University softball team welcomes nearby rival Providence College for a Tuesday (April 17) afternoon showdown at the Bryant Softball Complex at Conaty Park. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

The Bulldogs (12-19, 5-5 Northeast Conference) recently went 2-2 during a four-game road trip in Western Pennsylvania, splitting doubleheaders against conference foes Robert Morris and Saint Francis (PA). The Friars (14-25, 5-8 BIG EAST), meanwhile, have been victorious just once in their last eight outings, going 1-7 during that span.

Tuesday's meeting will mark the third encounter between the two intrastate rivals in the all-time series. Bryant and Providence faced off once in each of the previous two seasons, and the Friars emerged victorious in both of those games played at Providence.

Last season, the Bulldogs tied the game on an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning, but the Friars tacked on a late run to prevail by a one-run, 5-4 decision. Senior Laura Bowen (Hudson, Mass.) smacked a solo home run for the Bulldogs in that encounter, and sophomore Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) added another extra-base hit by means of a double.

Batting .242 as a team, the Friars have been shut out three times in their last eight games and have been held to two runs or fewer in four more of those games. Most recently, PC hosted Seton Hall for a three-game set over the weekend, as the Pirates took the series by winning 2-of-3.

Junior Jessie Bryant and senior Michelle Huber lead the Friars with identical .287 batting averages, while Huber's 31 hits rank most on the squad. Bryant, however, holds the team lead with 19 RBI on the season. Freshman infielder Kristie Dederick has smashed a side-high five homers this season, while Huber's six stolen bases lead the squad.

On the mound, junior Corinne Clauss has gone 6-10 on the year with a 3.67 ERA, while senior Alicia Grosso (7-13) leads the Friars in innings pitched (120.2) while posting a 3.94 ERA. Clauss' 63 strikeouts rank first on the team, four ahead of Grosso's 59.

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