Bulldogs can't hang on to two-run lead, fall to Syracuse, 3-2, in extra innings

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After the Bryant University softball team took a 2-0 lead, Syracuse came back to score two runs in the top of the sixth, forcing the game into eight innings, where the Orange came away with the game-winner, 3-2, in the final frame at the Citrus Classic.

The Bulldogs (0-5) scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second, when freshman Jill Staley (Lake Katrine, N.Y.) reached first off an Orange (6-7) error, allowing classmate Jessica Gradillas (Nogales, Aariz.) to round third and run home for the Bryant, 1-0, lead.

With two outs and a runner on second in the fourth, sophomore Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) in similar fashion took first base after an error by Syracuse's first baseman, plating junior Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) to give Bryant a 2-0 lead. 

The Bryant defense remained solid through the top of the fifth, allowing no hits, including a solid performance by senior Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), who struck out Olivia Martinez swinging to record the final out of the inning.

The Orange found success at the plate in the sixth, as Sammy Fernandez and Maddi Doane scored off a single to center field by Sydney O'Hara. After allowing three hits and a pair of runs, Madsen pitched her way out of the inning, striking out Hannah Dossett swinging for the third out of the frame.

In the bottom of the sixth, Madsen was walked, before Burger found the only Bryant hit of the inning, doubling to left center. With no outs and runners on second and third, the Bulldogs' next two batters grounded out, including Gradillas's ground out into a double play to close out the inning.

Both teams stayed perfect through the seventh, as neither defense let up a run, hit or error. In the top of the eighth, Doane advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt by Fernandez and scored the go-ahead run on a Corinne Ozanne single up the middle. Madsen got herself out of a jam with two outs and the bases loaded, striking out Dossett swinging to escape jam.

With a chance to tie or win the game in the bottom of the eighth, the Bulldogs grounded out three-straight times, resulting in the Orange, 3-2 victory in the final contest of the Citrus Classic.

Madsen pitched all eight innings, allowing three runs off five hits, while recording a season-best four strikeouts. Syracuse's Anna Marie Gatti pitched the first six innings, letting up two runs off three hits, while striking out five Bulldogs. Jocelyn Cater finished the last two frames on the mound and earned the win, walking one batter and allowing one hit.

Still hungry for their first win of the season, the Bulldogs remain on the road, testing themselves against Murray State, Auburn and Indiana at the Wilson/Demarini Classic in Auburn, Ala., beginning on Friday, March 4.