Tale of two games as Bulldogs split at LIU Brooklyn Saturday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team split its first doubleheader of the weekend, taking down LIU Brooklyn, 12-3, in Game 1 before narrowly falling to the Blackbirds in Game 2, 3-2, Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y.

GAME 1

In the first leg of the double dip, the Bulldogs (16-29, 7-7 Northeast Conference) exploded for 12 runs to knock off the Blackbirds (16-27, 6-6 NEC), 12-3, in just six innings.

Madsen led the way for the Black and Gold going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore outfielder Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) and senior first baseman Jessica Benacquista (Belleville, N.J.) each recorded grand slams to help the visitors to the big win in just six innings.

In the top of the first, the Bulldogs jumped all over LIU starter Shelley Procter, scoring five runs on five hits including Burger's grand slam and a Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.) RBI double.

After the hosts got three back in the third, Bryant upped its edge to six runs, 9-3, with one swing of the bat as Benacquista launched a grand slam over the left field fence. Senior Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Madsen would cap off the offensive onslaught for the Black and Gold with a pair of homers in the sixth to secure the 12-3, six inning victory.

In the circle, Madsen picked up her 10th win of the year behind another inspired performance, allowing just three runs on five hits and a walk in six innings of work.

GAME 2

Saturday's second game was a different story as the Bulldogs struggled to get the bats going, falling to LIU, 3-2.

It was LIU Brooklyn who took an early lead thanks to a three-run jack from Nicole Archer in the bottom of the first to give the hosts their first lead of the day. It wasn't until the top of the fifth when the Bulldogs finally pushed their first runs across in the form of another Burger homer, this one a solo shot, and a bases loaded walk from Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.).

However, Bryant was unable to capitalize on the bases loaded opportunity as Archer got herself out of the jam to preserve the 3-2 win.

Madsen allowed three runs on five hits in two innings in the start for the Bulldogs while junior Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) gave up just a pair of hits in four innings of relief.

Bryant wrap's up NEC play on Sunday when they host Saint Francis U. for Senior Day 2015. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 12 p.m.