Five-run fifth inning helps Bulldogs conquer Crusaders, 6-5, Wednesday in Worcester

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Trailing 2-0 heading in the top of the fifth, the Bryant University softball team scored five runs in the inning, before freshman Kaleigh Goulart's (Marion, Mass.) RBI single up the middle drove in the Bulldogs' game-winning score by senior Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.), as Bryant won 6-5, Wednesday afternoon in Worcester.

The Crusaders (7-34) took the initial 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Taylor Wahler tripled to center field and then scored off a wild pitch. In the bottom of the second, Emily Krisanda put herself in scoring position after singling up the middle, before stealing second. Taylor Moss followed up with a single to left field, plating Krisanda from second for the home team's 2-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs (12-33) mounted a strong comeback in the top of the fifth, scoring five runs to take a 5-2 lead. With one out and the bases loaded, Ogata singled through the right side, allowing sophomore Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) to score from third. Goulart followed up with a two-RBI single up the middle that granted Bryant its first lead of the game. Two batters later with two outs, Goulart and Ogata both scored unearned after a throwing error by the third baseman.  

In the bottom of the inning, Mandy McCarthy tied the game at five apiece when she drilled a two-RBI single to first base, driving in Wahler and Brewster before Krisanda was able to score from first off a throwing error from the first baseman.

Both teams came up empty in the sixth, but Goulart continued to provide for the Bulldogs, as she singled up the middle, plating Ogata for Bryant's game-winning score. Goulart went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run.

Red-shirt freshman Brandi Burgin (Santa Clarita, Calif.) earned her first win of the season on the mound, allowing just three runs off five hits, while senior Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) recorded the save. The Crusaders' Gennifer Durham recorded the loss in the circle after allowing one hit off four runs in six innings pitched.