Fourth Ranked Bryant Softball Sweeps UMass Lowell 4-2, 11-6

Smithfield, RI - Nearly an hour after the Bryant Softball team learned they were ranked fourth in the region, the highest ranking in school history; they continued their winning ways with a two game sweep over UMass Lowell. They won Game One, 4-2, and picked up a win for the sweep in Game Two by the score of 11-6. Bryant improves to 23-13 overall and 21-3 good for first place in the Northeast-10. The Bulldogs have now won 10 games in a row and 20 of their last 22.

In Game One, UMass Lowell struck for the games first run in the top of the third on a RBI single by junior Laurie Tanguay (Lowell, MA). The River Hawks would take a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by junior Vikki Guido (Winchester, MA). Both of the UMass Lowell runs were unearned.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a two out two-run homerun by Vicci Duane (West Haven, CT) just over the left field fence. Duane finished the game 2-3 with two runs and two RBI's. The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth when the Bulldogs struck for two more runs thanks to a two out two-run single by freshman Stephanie Mirando (North Haven, CT). The Bryant defense held in the top of the seventh as they won game one 4-2.

On the mound Janine Enos (Wareham, Mass.) did not allow an earned run and struck out six batters going the distance in earning her ninth victory of the season.

Game Two was a slugfest as the teams combined for 17 runs and 25 hits including three homeruns. Bryant would get on the scoreboard first in the home half of inning one on an RBI double by Duane. She had another two hit two RBI performance in game two. Bryant would add another run in the third and strike for four runs in the bottom of the fourth on a mammoth three-run homerun by senior Jordan Dargon (Trumbull, CT) over the centerfield wall and into the trees (250 ft).

The River Hawks would not go quietly as they erupted for five runs in the top of the fifth with there own three-run homerun by sophomore Brie O'Brien (Saugus, CA). After the first out was recorded the next five batters reached and all scored to pull UMass Lowell to within two 7-5.

The Bulldogs would come right back and answer with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a leadoff homerun by sophomore Jess Valentini (Cliffside Park, NJ) and three singles. That would be enough offense on this day as they won game two 11-6.

Jen Bernier (Rehoboth, MA) threw four and a third innings striking out five and picking up her sixth win of the season.

Bryant returns to action on Sunday when they will host Saint Michael's for double-header action beginning at 12:00 pm.