DAVIDSON, N.C. – Brandyn Durand homered twice and drove in five runs as the Bryant baseball team opened the 2025 season with a 6-3 victory over Davidson on Friday afternoon.

The win is Bryant's first season opening victory since the 2022 season. Bryant and Davidson will play game two of their doubleheader with an 8:00 p.m. first pitch on Friday night.

Durand opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the second and made it 6-1 with a three-run home run in the third. He finished 2-for-4 with five RBI and two runs scored. Matt D'Amato reached safely in all four plate appearances with two hits and two walks, while Pat D'Amico collected a pair of hits.
 
Four Bryant pitchers combined to strikeout nine and allow just five hits. Kyle Rizy earned the win with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, while Jackson Vanesko picked up the save with a perfect seventh.

Game Information
Bryant 6, Davidson 3 (7 innings)
Records: Bryant 1-0 | Davidson 0-1
Location: Wilson Field (Davidson, N.C.)
W|L|S: Kyle Rizy (1-0) | Perkins (0-1) | Jackson Vanesko (1)

Key Moments

• Durand hit home runs in the second and third innings to give Bryant a commanding 6-1 lead.

How it Happened

• Davidson struck first with a solo home run in the bottom of the first.
• In the second, D'Amato singled in his first plate appearance as a Bulldog and Durand followed with a blast to dead center.
• Bryant would plate a third run on a Davidson throwing error.
• Rizy took over for starter Luke Delongchamp in the bottom of the second and proceeded to strikeout the side in his first appearance since Apr. 14, 2023.
• In the third, Charlie Saul collected his first collegiate hit and D'Amato walked to setup Durand who swatted an oppoite-field three-run home run to make it 6-1.
• Davidson attempted to rally in the fourth but Dylan Scudder came out of the bullpen and got a three-pitch strikeout to strand two runners.
• Scudder then induced a 4-6-3 double play in the fifth.
• Davidson, however, would plate two runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 6-3.
• In the seventh, Vanesko retired the Wildcats in order in what was his first appearance since Apr. 1, 2023. 

Inside the Box Score

• Bryant outhit Davidson, 10-5.
• Bryant did not commit an error.
• Durand went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI.
• D'Amato reached safely four times with two hits and two walks. He scored two runs.
• D'Amico picked up two hits.
• Luke Delongchamp started and tossed the first inning in a predetermined start. He allowed one run.
• Rizy struck out five, walked three and allowed just one hit in 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
• Scudder allowed two runs on three hits, walked two and struck out three over 2.1 innings.
• Vanesko earned the save with a perfect seventh.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 4-5 all-time vs Davidson. The Bulldogs have won each of the last four meetings.
• Zyons extended his on-base streak to 38 straight games dating back to last season.
• Durand posted his first-career multi-homer game. He now has 13 home runs in his Bryant career.
• Rizy and Vanesko were both making their first appearances since the 2023 after missing all of last year with Tommy John Surgery.
• Vanesko picked up his second career save and his first since 2022.
• Rizy improved to 4-2 in his career. He earned his first wince since Apr. 4, 2023.
• Saul made his collegiate debut and collected his first-career hit.
• D'Amato now has 229 career hits (227 at Salve Regina).

Up Next
Bryant and Davidson play game two of their doubleheader on Friday night.