Benacquista's two-run HR leads Bulldogs to 5-3 win over URI

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – A three-run second inning, highlighted by a Jessica Benacquista (Belleville, N.J.) two-run homerun, helped the Bryant University softball team to a 5-3 victory over the University of Rhode Island, Thursday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The Bulldogs (12-26) earn a much needed victory after a tough weekend while the Rams (2-31) continue to struggle despite a valiant effort.

URI had the Black and Gold on their heels early, scoring two of their three runs in the top of the first, capitalizing on a Bryant error to the take the 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs got back a run in the bottom half of the inning behind a pair of two-out base hits, first a single up the middle from Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) followed up by a double to right center from Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.).

In the following inning, Bryant got back to work thanks to the two-run, no-out bomb from Benaquista. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Keast (Holliston, Mass.) followed the homer up a single up the middle, working her way around to third base where a two-out Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.) single drove in Keast and upped the Bulldog edge to two runs, 4-2.

Bottino, who earned her fourth win of the season, allowed just one run on seven hits in six innings of relief in the circle and kept the Rams at bay after a big first inning.

Bryant went on to add a fifth run in the bottom of the sixth after a Benaquista leadoff single set up sophomore Mallory Harrigan (Albany, N.Y.) for the RBI double to right center, giving the hosts the 5-2 advantage.

In the top of the seventh, the Rams managed to push a run across but Bottino quickly shut the door to preserve the 5-3 win for the Bulldogs.

Burger, Bottino and Benaquista each picked up a pair of hits on the day to lead the Black and Gold with Benacquista registering two RBI.

The Bulldogs wrap up their eight-game homestand with a Northeast Conference doubleheader vs. Sacred Heart on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.