April 27, 2010

Box Score

SOFTBALL DROPPED 9-1 IN FIVE INNINGS BY INTRASTATE RIVAL BROWN

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team was defeated, 9-1, in five innings of play at intrastate rival Brown University on Tuesday afternoon at a rain-soaked Erickson Athletic Complex. The game consisted of approximately a 30-minute rain delay in the middle of the fourth inning.

The Bulldogs (7-33) were held to just four hits on the afternoon as Brown (17-19) pitcher Kristi Chin cruised to a complete-game five-inning win. Chin allowed just one run on four hits and struck out two to pick up her 11th win of the season.

The Bears got on the board first with a two-run homer off the bat of catcher Amanda Asay in the bottom of the second inning. Asay knocked in third baseman Stephanie Thompson, who reached base with a leadoff single in the frame, for her 20th RBI of the season.

Following a leadoff groundout from sophomore Laura Bowen (Hudson, Mass.), freshman Kate Murray (Fitchburg, Mass.) had her second hit of the day, a double to left field, to start the game 2-2 for the Bulldogs. However, with two outs the Bears were able to catch the freshman outfielder attempting to steal third to retire the side for the Black and Vegas.

Receiving help from the Bryant defense, the Ivy League affiliate picked up right where they left off in the third inning, plating four runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead after three innings of play. The Bulldogs helped the Bears by committing two errors in the inning.

The frame was highlighted by a Thomas double and a two-RBI single by Brown's Alyssa Caplan. Bryant's Sami Houseal (Mount Joy, Pa.) came in to strikeout the Bears' designated player and get the Bulldogs out of the jam.

Following the 30-minute rain delay, the Bears added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 9-0 lead over Bryant.

In jeopardy of being on the losing end of the eight-run rule, the Bulldogs had to tally at least two of their own to continue action on Tuesday afternoon. With two outs, junior Regi Burdo (Wayne, Pa.) singled and came all the way around to score on a Bowen double to cut the deficit to eight runs, down 9-1. However, it would not be enough for the Black and Gold as Murray was unable to pick up her third hit of the day as she lined out to second base to end the game.

Freshman Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) took the loss in the outing, dropping her record to 5-7 for the season. Murray was 2-3 with a double while Bowen was 1-3 with a double of her own and the lone RBI. Brown's Thompson went 3-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs in the contest.

The BU softball team returns to action tomorrow when they look for the season-sweep of the Holy Cross Crusaders. Bryant will travel to Worcester, Mass. to take on Holy Cross at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs won the first meeting 7-2 over HC.