Bulldogs score four runs in fourth, defeat BU, 4-2

BOSTON, MASS. – The Bryant University softball team's dominant four-run fourth inning gave way to a 4-2 victory over Boston University on Thursday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (5-20) trailed the Terrier (8-15), 2-0, in the top of the fifth with one out, when freshman Bianca Mastropietro (Bronx, N.Y.) homered to left center to pull the Bulldogs within one, 2-1. Classmate Nicole Zukowski (Medford, N.Y.) was walked before junior Robyn Ukegawa's (Carlsbad, Calif.) single up the middle advanced the rookie to second.

With two outs and runners on first and second, sophomore Jessica Gradillas (Nogales, Ariz.) doubled to left center, plating Zukowski and Ukegawa to give the Black and Gold their first lead of the game, 3-1. Junior Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) followed with a double of her own to left center, driving Gradillas in for the 4-2 lead.

The Terriers scored both of their runs in the bottom of the first, when Moriah Connolly scored off an error by the left fielder and when Alex Heinen was plated off Gabi Martinez's single to left field.

The Terriers scored two runs off nine hits, leaving 10 on base, while the Bulldogs totaled four runs off five hits, leaving seven on. Emily Morrow went 2-for-2, Alexa Ponce 2-for-3 and Connolly 2-for-4. Ukegawa, Gradillas, Mastropietro and freshman Marianna Politis (Arcadia, Calif.) all finished 1-for-3.

Makinna Akers checked onto the mound in the fifth and recorded the loss after allowing two runs off three hits. Sophomore Brandi Burgin (Santa Clarita, Calif.) earned the win in the circle, moving to 2-5 on the season after holding the Terriers to two runs off nine hits, while striking out three batters.

The Bulldogs look to continue momentum into their home opener on Tuesday, March 28, against Connecticut at 1 and 3 p.m.