Defensive woes plague Bulldogs in loss at URI

SMITHFIELD, R.I.—The Bryant University softball team fell to Rhode Island, 11-3, in six innings Wednesday afternoon in Kingston, R.I.

On a brisk day in Southern Rhode Island, the Bulldogs (22-16) allowed six unearned runs, thanks to five errors, in a tough loss to in-state foe URI (10-23).

Despite a strong first inning in which the Black and Gold took a 1-0 lead thanks to a Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) RBI single driving in Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.), the Rams answered back and then some, taking a 3-1 edge after one.

After a 1-2-3 second for Bryant, the Rams tacked on another run, capitalizing on a leadoff miscue by the visitors. In the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs finally began to string some hits together sparked by a trio of singles from sophomore Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), senior Taylor Bell (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), and freshman Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.). With the bases loaded, junior infielder Jessica Benacquista (Belleville, N.J.) laced a two-run single to right center, cutting the deficit to a single run with one out. Bryant, however, could not take advantage with runners on the corners, stranding a pair on after two-straight outs.

The bottom of the fourth brought along more defensive woes for the Bulldogs as URI scored five unearned runs to jump out to a 9-3 advantage. The hosts added two more in the bottom of the sixth to clinch the eight-run victory.

Bottino allowed nine runs (three earned) on 10 hits in 3.2 innings of work in her third start of the year, while freshman Lauren Keast (Holliston, Mass.) allowed a pair on three hits in 1.2 innings in just her second appearance out of the Bryant bullpen.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will try to get the bad taste of Wednesday's loss out of their mouth when they make the trek to Pennsylvania with doubleheaders at Robert Morris on Friday and at Saint Francis U. on Saturday.

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