Bulldogs host Blackbirds Sunday at noon and 2 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After a slew of cancellations due to weather, the Bryant University softball team returns to action on Sunday, April 10, hosting Northeast Conference first place preseason selection LIU Brooklyn at 12 and 2 p.m.

The Bulldogs (2-14, 1-1 NEC) enter the contest after splitting games with Sacred Heart, 1-0, 1-0, while the Blackbirds (12-22) faced the same fate, defeating Saint Francis U., 5-1, before falling, 6-0, in game two.

After batting .176, the Bulldogs have started conference play averaging .204, while collecting 10 hits off 49 at-bats. The improvements don't end there, as Bryant's on base percentage increased to .259 and slugging percentage increased to .224, while the Bulldogs have held opponents to a .159 batting average.

Senior Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) has gone 2-for-5 in NEC play, including a double that put her in position to score the game-winner in game one against Sacred Heart (April 2). Classmate Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) has also stepped up to the plate, connecting on 3-of-8 with a slugging percentage of .375.

Madsen and freshman Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) have recorded the Bulldogs' only wins on the mound this season, as the senior found hers most recently in Bryant's 1-0 victory at Sacred Heart. Last year's NEC second teamer pitched all seven innings, allowing only three hits, while striking out three batters in the Bulldogs' first shutout of the season.

LIU has been batting well all season, as the Blackbirds average .262 with Victoria Zamora and Whitney West leading the flock at .359 and .357, respectively. Zamora totals 17 runs off 33 hits, including six doubles and three home runs. She also leads the team with 14 RBI and manages a team-high .522 slugging percentage. West has accumulated 15 runs off 41 hits, including four doubles, four triples, one home run and 56 RBI.

Erynn Sobieski has seen the most time on the mound for the Blackbirds, finishing 7-15 in 120.1 innings pitched. Sobieski holds a 4.30 ERA, pitching a single shutout this season, while recording 73 of the team's 108 strikeouts. Tallie Woodson sits second to Sobieski at 4-6 with a 5.32 ERA, recording one save and throwing 29 strikeouts in her 76.1 innings on the mound.

Action is set to begin at noon at Conaty Park and again at 2 p.m. Fans can catch all the live action at necfrontrow.com or follow along with live stats at bryantbulldogs.com.