Bulldogs play Pirates strong, lose, 9-5, Friday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I - After trailing by six through four innings, the Bryant University softball team scored five runs in back-to-back frames, but East Carolina continued to execute offensively, defeating the Bulldogs, 9-5, on Friday night. 

After a scoreless first, the Pirates (2-4) had an explosive second inning, scoring four runs off five hits on the Bulldogs (0-2). In the bottom of the second, the Pirates biggest scoring play came off a Ciara Ervin single to left field that advanced Megan Quick to second and plated Ali Ramirez and Logan Wood. Quick was brought in by Kacie Oshiro on ECU's next at bat. 

After the Bulldogs went down in order in the top of the third, the Pirates tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the inning. With the bases load, Oshiro was walked, bringing Ramirez in for the score and 5-0 ECU edge. The Pirates found their 6-0 advantage when Quick scored from third on a passed ball. 

The Bulldogs made it a game in the top of the fifth, pulling within three, 6-3. Sophomore Kaleigh Goulart (Marion, Mass.) led off for the Bulldogs, doubling to right center, before senior Haylee Haas' (Moorpark, Calif.) single through the right side sent Goulart to third. Goulart then scored off a wild pitch. 

With the bases loaded and an 0-2 count, freshman Tiffany Bell (Egg Harbor, N.J.) singled to left field, driving Haas in for Bryant's first score. The Bulldogs run brought in Megan Mills to pitch for the Pirates. The Black and Gold took advantage of a fielding error by ECU's shortstop, as Nicole Zukowski (Medford, N.Y.) trotted in, pulling Bryant within three, 6-3. 

The Pirates responded back in the bottom of the inning, scoring two more runs, including Meredith Burroughs' double to left center that brought Oshiro home for the host's 8-3 lead. Following Oshiro's score, redshirt-sophomore Brandi Burgin (Santa Clarita, Calif.) checked in on the mound for freshman Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.). Burgin stuck out McClellan looking to end the fifth. 

In the top of the sixth with the bases loaded and one out, sophomore Jessica Gradillas (Nogales, Ariz.) pinch hit for Bell, flying out to right field and plating freshman Marianna Politis (Arcadia, Calif.) from third to pull Bryant within four, 8-4. With two outs, junior Robyn Ukegawa (Calsbad, Calif.) brought Haas in from third off a single up the middle and Bryant moved to within three, 8-5, after five and a half innings. 

In the bottom of the sixth with one out and no runners on, Ramirez homered to centerfield for the Pirates' final run of the game. The Bulldogs came up empty in the top of the seventh and the hosts were able to hang on to win, 9-5. 

Senior Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) went 3-for-4 in the game, while Haas finished 2-for-3 with two runs. Ermish recorded the loss on the mound, after pitching 4.1 innings and striking out one batter. Burgin finished out the game, recording one strikeout in 1.2 innings. 

Ramirez and Ervin both went 3-for-4 in the contest, while Ramirez finished with three runs. Mary Williams received the win in the circle, allowing three runs off six hits in 4.0 innings. Williams struck out seven batters.  

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. against Cleveland State at the ECU Pirate Clash.