SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind a trio of homeruns from junior outfielder Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.), the Bryant University softball team split Day 1 action at the Yale Invitational, cruising past Yale, 15-6, in six innings before falling to Boston University, 8-3, Saturday in Fairfield, Conn.

Game 1

Velasquez finished Game 1 vs. Yale with a trio of hits, including a grand slam in the top of the second and a solo shot in the fifth, to lead Bryant to a big 15-6 win over the Connecticut Bulldogs in Bryant's first of four games this weekend.

Senior outfielder Kristen Carter (Branchville, N.J.) went 4-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, while senior shortstop Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) and freshman outfielder Haylee Haas (Moorpark, Calif.) both added three hits of their own en route to the Bulldogs' largest offensive output of the year.

The Black and Gold got things started in the top of the second inning scoring six two-out runs, highlighted by the Velasquez grand slam. Bryant added runs in each of the following four innings, taking care of Yale in six.

Sophomore Katelin Saunders (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) picked up her third-straight victory, allowing two runs on six hits in three innings of work. Classmate Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) threw three innings of relief, allowing four runs of four hits to go along with a pair of Ks.

Game 2

In the second leg of the doubleheader, the Bulldogs ran into Makinna Akers of Boston University, who allowed just three runs on six hits to lead the Terriers to the 8-3 win over Bryant.

BU jumped out early, scoring a pair in the top of the second inning before adding two more in the top of the fourth to take a commanding 4-1 lead midway through the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, sophomore pitcher Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) got things going with single to center field, setting up Mable who blasted a two-run shot to left center to cut the deficit to one run, 4-3.

However, the Terriers homered twice in the next half inning to push their edge back to four runs before adding their eighth and final run in the top of the sixth to secure the 8-3 win.

Velasquez accounted for the other Bryant run, collecting her third homerun on the day off a solo shot in the bottom of the third inning. Mable and classmate Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.) each had a pair of hits, accounting for four of Bryant's six total hits.

Madsen went the distance in the circle, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits to go along with seven strikeouts in her 11th start of the year.

The Bulldogs will play both BU (12:30 p.m.) and Yale (3 p.m.) again Sunday afternoon in Connecticut to wrap up the Yale Invitational.

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