Bulldogs defeat Holy Cross, 7-3, on Thursday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Led by two hits from senior Rachel Monroe (Southwick, Mass.) and freshman Morgan Powell (Murrieta, Calif.), the Bryant University softball team defeated Holy Cross, 7-3, on Thursday afternoon.

Monroe finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Powell went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Gabrielle Ermish (Pottstown, Pa.) earned the win on the mound and also chipped in a two-run single.

Thursday's game was Bryant's final non-conference game of the season.

Game Information

Bryant 7, Holy Cross 3

Records: Bryant (13-30), Holy Cross (11-31)

Location: Freshman Field (Worcester, Mass.)

W|L : Gabrielle Ermish (4-8) | Katie Barbarick (0-2)

Key Moment

• Holding a 4-0 lead in the fourth, the Bulldogs put the game away with three two-out runs. Ermish scored two with a single and Marianna Politis (Arcadia, Calif.) capped Bryant's scoring with a two-out double.

How it happened

• Bryant got on the board with two runs in the first inning. Sophomore Tiffany Bell (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) walked and came around to score on a sac fly from Jessica Gradillas (Nogales, Ariz.). Powell drove home the second run with a two-out single to left.
• The Bulldogs extended their lead with two more runs in the second. Two walks and a single loaded the bases and Monroe was able to coax a walk to bring home a run. The second run scored on a wild pitch.
• In the fourth, Monroe extended the inning with a two-out single and Gradillas reached on an error. After a passed ball, Ermish scored both with a single through the right side. Two batters later, Politis doubled to center field to make it 7-0.
• Holy Cross scored three runs in its final two at-bats. Sydney Behrens scored a run with a fielder's choice and an outfield error allowed a second run to score. In the seventh, Taylor Moss' ground out to the pitcher produced the final run.

Stats

• Bryant won the game despite making five errors.
• Bell walked twice and scored a run.
• Monroe finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored.
• Powell had two hits and an RBI.
• Senior Gianna Pizzano (Saugus, Mass.) had a hit and also pitched a scoreless inning in her first collegiate appearance.
• Ermish drove in two runs and also tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win. She struck out two and allowed just one hit.
• Freshman Sarah McKeveny (Bohemia, N.Y.) tossed two scoreless innings of relief.

Up Next

The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Central Connecticut to Conaty Park. The doubleheader was moved from Sunday to Saturday in anticipation of heavy rains. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.