Bulldogs split at Robert Morris Friday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team split with Robert Morris, winning Game 1, 4-2, before dropping the second leg of the doubleheader, 8-5, Friday afternoon in Moon Township, Pa.

For just the first time all season, the Bulldogs (23-17, 9-3 Northeast Conference) split back-to-back NEC doubleheaders, while the Colonials (21-20, 4-6 NEC) keep their chances alive with a big Game 2 victory.

Game 1

In the first leg of the doubleheader, the Bulldogs took advantage of some Robert Morris miscues, handing two-time NEC Pitcher of the Year Nicole Sleith just her seventh loss of the season, 4-2.

After a Colonial double steal in the second inning put the hosts up 1-0, the Bulldogs took the lead in the top of the third when sophomore pitcher Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) helped herself with a two-run double down the left field line, scoring seniors Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) and Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.).

However, Robert Morris knotted the score, 2-2, off an Ashley Gerhart solo shot to center field in the bottom half of the inning.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Black and Gold got things going in the top of the sixth thanks to a Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) leadoff double down the left field line. Freshman Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) followed that up with a base hit to center, advancing Bottino to third. After a steal by Burger and back-to-back outs, Corder stepped up to the plate and laced a clutch, two-run knock to center field scoring the eventual game-winning runs and putting Bryant on top, 4-2. Madsen took care of the rest, allowing only one hit in each of the final two innings.

"Elle [Madsen] was great once again in the circle," said Bryant head coach Shayne Lotito. "She held a good team to just two runs and our offense took care of business with Kendall [Corer] solidifying the victory with a big hit when we needed it most."

Game 2

The second game of the afternoon, however, told a different story as Robert Morris jumped on Madsen early and never looked back, scoring four runs in the first inning en route to an 8-5 victory.

The Colonials had a much better go around with their second look at Madsen in Game 2, registering a pair of two-run homers in the bottom of the first to jump out to an early 4-0 lead. Bryant got one back in the top of the second when Burger brought in a run when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but the Black and Gold were unable to capitalize on a bases-chucked, no out situation, scoring just the lone run.

After tacking on another run in the bottom of the second, the hosts added two more in the bottom of the fourth, pushing the edge to six runs, 7-1, after four full innings.

The Bulldogs took advantage of a pair of RMU miscues when Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) sent an RBI single to right field to score Corder and Mable, cutting the deficit to just four runs. Three batters later, Bottino laced an RBI single to left field, scoring Velasquez, to make 7-4 after five.

Each team would add another run in the sixth inning but it wasn't enough for the Bulldogs who eventually fell, 8-5.

"Robert Morris was able to jump on us early," added Lotito. "And although Elle [Madsen] worked hard, [Robert Morris] was more comfortable seeing her a second time around. Katie [Saunders] did pitch well in relief and the offense made a push but, it just wasn't enough in the end."

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs remain a game up in the NEC standings with just a pair of league doubleheaders remaining on the slate.

"All we can do is move forward, come out tomorrow and continue to fight," said Lotito. "We need to remain focused, and continue to remind each other that it takes a lot of hard work to win games."

Bryant will have an opportunity to put itself in a very strong position come playoff time when it heads to Loretto, Pa., for a doubleheader vs. Saint Francis U. on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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