BRYANT BASEBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER

WITH ASSUMPTION SUNDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Bryant University and Assumption College ended their regular seasons by splitting a doubleheader Sunday.  Bryant won the first game 7-3, piecing together 15 hits, but was shutout in the second game, 1-0. 

Bryant's offense was relentless in game one, racking up 15 hits over eight innings.  Senior Nick Tucarella led the onslaught, going 4 for 4 and scoring three times.  Jason Alexander, Mike Rocco, Mark Dondero, and Chris Neil each had two hits in the game. 

Bryant first struck in the second inning when Neil tripled with two outs to drive in two runs.  The Bulldogs carried a 4-0 lead into the sixth, when a Jeff Barbale RBI double and Tyler Vivian 2-RBI double brought Assumption to within one.  The Greyhounds would be held hitless the rest of the way, as Brian Fioretti and Adam Vuolo combined for three innings of solid relief. 

Luke Cowan picked up the win for the Bulldogs, improving to 5-6 on the season.  Cowan surrendered seven hits, walked three, and struck out four in six innings of work. 

Bryant's offense dwindled in the second game, as the Bulldogs failed to manufacture a run.  Assumption threatened early in game two, stringing together four hits in the first inning, but a perfect throw from Chad Valenti in right field to home plate kept the Greyhounds from scoring. 

The game remained scoreless until a Mike Baillargeon RBI single gave the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning.  The run would be all Assumption would need to pull out the victory, as Bryant couldn't replicate their hitting performance from the first game. 

Rory Ahern pitched seven shutout innings, surrendering five hits and walking none.  Nick Andrade picked up the save, allowing two hits in two innings of work.

Steve Scannell, Scott Boyle, and Mike Baillargeon each had two hits in the game for the Greyhounds. 

Bryant finishes the regular season with an overall record of 18-32 and a conference record of 16-14.  Assumption finishes with an overall record of 10-35 and a conference record of 7-23.  Bryant's season will continue with the NE-10 Conference Tournament. 

Notables: Senior Paul Novakowski recorded his 200^th career hit for Bryant in the third inning of game one.