SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite holding a two-run lead after the first inning, the Bryant University softball team fell to the University of Connecticut, 5-2, Thursday afternoon in Storrs, Conn.

The Bulldogs got things started in the top of the first as junior outfielder Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.) and sophomore outfielder Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) earned back-to-back walks to open the contest. Just two batters later, freshman Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) roped a double to right field, scoring Guy, to put Bryant out front, 1-0. One batter later, junior Amy Weinberg (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) reached on an UConn error, scoring Velasquez, to grant Bryant to 2-0 advantage after one.

Despite the quick start, Bryant would be unable to muster any more offense for the remainder of the afternoon. The Huskies responded to the Bulldog first inning by scoring four in the bottom of the second, highlighted by an Audrey Grinnell solo homerun and a three-run double from senior Marissa Gouches.

UConn added one more run in the bottom of the fourth rounding out the offense for both clubs. Senior Jennifer Jacob (Deer Park, N.Y.) was solid for the Bulldogs on the hill, allowing five runs on five hits, to go along with a trio of strikeouts, in 3.2 innings of work. Freshman Katelin Saunders (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) was near perfect in 2.1 innings of relief, allowing just two hits.

The Bulldogs will have one day of rest before welcoming Northeast Conference-foe Sacred Heart to Smithfield for a 1/3 p.m. doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University softball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.