SOFTBALL RUNS INTO TOUGH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT TEAM FRIDAY AFTERNOON

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team ran into a very tough Central Connecticut State team, dropping a pair of games in New Britain, Conn., 8-1 and 8-0, Friday afternoon.

Game 1

The Bulldogs got off to a great start again as junior Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.) belted a leadoff homerun (for the second-straight game) in the top of the first to give Bryant the brief 1-0 advantage. Despite getting out in front early, the Bulldog lead would be short lived as the Blue Devils responded with four runs in the bottom of the first, and another in the second to open up a 5-1 edge after two.

The hosts would add three more in the bottom of the sixth, holding Bryant scoreless for the remainder of the game after the leadoff homer.

Junior shortstop Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) led the Bulldogs with a pair of hits, including one double, with Guy's homer serving as Bryant's only other hit. Central's Evie Rentzel put together a great game, with a homerun and four RBI.

Game 2

In the nightcap, both the Bulldogs and Blue Devils were held scoreless for the first two and a half innings, but Central Connecticut exploded for six runs in the bottom of the third inning, adding two more in the bottom of the fifth, to end the game in the fifth inning, 8-0, Blue Devils.

Mable picked up two more hits in game two, while Guy and senior outfielder Kate Murray (Fitchburg, Mass.) each tallied a single. Senior Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) threw three innings for Bryant, allowing five hits and six runs.

The Bulldogs will look to get back on track on Saturday (12/2 p.m.) when they welcome Wagner to Smithfield for a pair of Northeast Conference contests against the Seahawks.

For links to live stats and all the latest news on the Bryant University softball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.