SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After a tough start in non-league play, the Bryant University softball team looks to turn the tide in Northeast Conference play, beginning with a doubleheader at Sacred Heart on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m., before traveling to Fairleigh Dickinson for back-to-back games on Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.

The Bulldogs finished 8-8 in the NEC last season, missing the conference tournament and the opportunity to recapture the league title.

Saturday's meeting marks the Bulldogs' (1-23) and Pioneers' (8-17) 14th Division I matchup with the series mark, 8-5, in Bryant's favor. The Black and Gold have won the last eight straight, including their largest win, 10-2, in five innings last season. Eight of the contests between the two teams have been decided by a single score with the outcomes of those games resulting in a 4-4 split.

The Pioneers enter Saturday on a one-game winning streak after defeating UMass Lowell, 3-1, at home. The hosts bat .231 led by sophomore Stephanie Appleberg's .368 and junior Kelyn Fillmore's .290. Appleberg also leads the team with seven RBI, .478 on base percentage and .632 slugging percentage in her 19 at-bats. Junior Jamie Carlson has seen the most time on the mound, sitting 3-7 on the season, while posting a 3.03 ERA.

In the Bulldogs second matchup of the weekend, they face the 5-21 Knights in their 15th Division I meeting. The series mark resides in Bryant's favor, 9-5, with the Black and Gold winning most recently, 12-5, on April 11, 2015. The Bulldogs have held the Knights scoreless in three matchups and have won big, 8-0, and 12-1, in two five-inning games.

The Knights are coming off a five-game losing streak, falling most recently to Siena, 13-3, and 7-2, in Loudonville. Senior Madelaine Wilen and freshman Reanna Cervantes lead the Knights, batting .379 and .361, respectively, while the team bats .279. Wilen tops the team with 10 doubles, 14 runs and a .552 slugging percentage. Cervantes totals 16 RBI to lead the Knights, while also scoring nine runs on the season. Junior Cheryl Lopez is 3-9 on the mound with a 7.63 ERA. Lopez leads the pitching staff with 24 strikeouts in her 59.2 innings pitched.

Weather permitting, the Bulldogs are set to battle the Pioneers on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. The Bulldogs will face the Knights on Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m., following FDU's league opener against Mount St. Mary's on Saturday.