Bulldogs head into final NEC weekend with playoff hopes on the line
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryant | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
|
Long Island | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryant | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
|
Long Island | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis U | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
|
Bryant | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 4 | 8 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis U | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 |
|
Bryant | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With just four games left on its Northeast Conference slate, the Bryant University softball team will look to make a final push into the top four of the league standings over the weekend with doubleheaders at LIU Brooklyn on Saturday (12/2 p.m.) and vs. Saint Francis U. on Sunday (12/2 p.m.).
With still much to be determined, the Bulldogs are currently tied for fifth place in the NEC standings with a 6-6 conference mark. Tied with Bryant is Saturday's opponent, LIU Brooklyn, who comes into weekend action at 5-5 while the Red Flash, Sunday's opposition, is in third at 7-3.
Last weekend, the Bulldogs put together their best weekend showing to date, going 3-1 with a sweep of Sacred Heart and a split with preseason favorites Central Connecticut. Junior pitcher Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) went 3-1 on the weekend, allowing just three earned runs in her three wins, while collecting five hits and a pair of RBI at the dish. Classmates Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) and Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) were also terrific over the weekend, each hitting over .500 in the two doubleheaders.
On Saturday, Bryant will head to Brooklyn, N.Y., for a rematch of the 2014 NEC Tournament Title Game. The Blackbirds, currently tied with Bryant in the NEC standings, enter Saturday's action with a 15-26 overall mark coming off a split with Saint Francis U. on Sunday, April 19. Leading the way for LIU is junior outfielder Whitney West, who through 38 games has posted a team-high .325 average with 40 hits and 20 runs scored. Senior Nicole Archer leads her team in the power categories with six homeruns and 22 RBI while shortstop Lauren Morizi paces the team with 11 doubles. In the circle, sophomore Shelley Procter has accounted for nearly half of LIU's total innings, coming into the weekend series with a 6-14 mark and a 5.89 ERA in 120 innings pitched. Last year, the Bulldogs beat the Blackbirds four times, sweeping the regular season doubleheader before picking up two more wins in the NEC Tournament.
On Sunday, the Black and Gold will head back to Conaty Park for Senior Day and a doubleheader vs. Saint Francis U. The Red Flash enter weekend action with a 29-13 overall mark and will play at CCSU on Saturday before swinging through Smithfield. Sitting in third place in the NEC standings, Saint Francis is paced by senior infielder Taylor Parsons who leads her team with a .376 average, five homers and 39 RBI and a league-high 17 doubles, six triples, and 39 RBI. In the circle, the Red Flash utilize a balanced attack led by sophomores Blaire Bauthers and Ethel Santai. As a team, SFU has combined for a 2.89 ERA in 274 innings. Last season, the Bulldogs swept the Red Flash in Loretto, Pa.