Bryant bats earn sweep over Yale Wed.

SOFTBALL EARNS FOURTH-STRIAGHT VICTORY THURSDAY WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OF YALE

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University softball team makes it four in-a-row with a Wednesday afternoon sweep of Yale, 12-7 and 10-2 (5).

Game 1

After allowing four runs in the bottom of the first inning, Bryant exploded for 12 runs to notch a 12-7 victory in Game 1 vs. Yale on Wednesday.

The Connecticut Bulldogs jumped on Bryant starter Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) early, notching six runs in the first two innings but the senior settled down after the second, earning her fifth victory of the season.

After an error by Yale pushed across the two Bryant runs, junior shortstop Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) began her huge game with a three-run homerun to center field which granted the Black and Gold a brief 5-4 advantage. Finding themselves down, 6-5, in the top of the fourth inning, freshman Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) doubled down the left field line to score junior Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.) to even the score at 6-6.

Bryant picked up six more runs, three apiece in the top of the fifth and seventh, respectively. Freshman Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) doubled to center field in a pinch hit appearance, scoring sophomore Jessica Benacquista (Belleville, N.J.). One batter later, Guy continued her strong play as she went yard for the fourth time this season, putting Bryant up, 9-6. In the top of the seventh Bryant tacked on a trio of insurance runs thanks to a three-run triple from Mable who finished the day with a whopping six RBI.

Game 2

The nightcap of the Bryant-Yale doubleheader was dominated by reigning Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week Elle Madsen who threw five stellar innings, allowing just five hits and two runs en route to a 10-2 (5) victory.

The Black and Gold score a run in each of the first four innings as the visitors aggressive play on the bases put a lot of pressure on Yale. Holding a 4-0 advantage, Bryant exploded for four more runs in the top of the fifth. First, Ogata singles to right field scoring senior outfielder Kate Murray (Fitchburg, Mass.). Just one batter later, Guy blasted a three-run homer to right field as she continues her stellar junior season. After a pair of walks, junior Amy Weinberg (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) doubled to right-center driving home Madsen and classmate Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.) to push the Bryant edge to 10-0.

As a team, the Rhode Island Bulldogs outhit their Connecticut opposition, 13-2, as Madsen was dominant on the hill. Guy lead Bryant with a trio of RBI, while Weinberg (2), Ogata and senior Christina Eringis (Tewksbury, Mass.) each accounted for at least one RBI. Junior outfielder Kristen Carter (Branchville, N.J.) finished Game 2 3-for-3 with three runs scored, reaching base in all four of her at-bats.

On the afternoon, Mable finished 5-for-8, reaching base six times while Guy went 5-for-7 getting on base seven times.

Bryant will get back at it on Thursday when they welcome Rhode Island rival Brown to Smithfield for a 4 p.m. showdown at Conaty Park.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University softball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.