SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant baseball team opens the defense of its America East Regular Season title as it welcomes UAlbany to Conaty Park for a three-game series this weekend. The series opens Friday at 3:00 p.m. and finishes with single games on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.).

Bryant was picked first in the America East preseason poll after claiming both regular season and tournament titles last season. UAlbany was picked seventh.

The Particulars
Opponent: UAlbany
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Friday, Mar. 21 - 3:00 PM | Saturday, Mar. 22 - 1:00 PM | Sunday, Mar. 23 - 1:00 PM
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: ESPN+ (Friday) | AmericaEast.tv (Saturday, Sunday)
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | X | Instagram | #AEBASE  

Probable Starting Pitchers

Friday - Luke Delongchamp vs Dylan Banner
Saturday - Mike Belcher vs Tyler Kneller
Sunday - Clay Robbins vs Mark Gajowski

• It will be a primetime showdown on Friday afternoon as Delongchamp battles Banner. Both were selected to the preseason All-America East team. 
• Delongchamp went 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA in eight AE starts last year, while Banner allowed three runs or less and pitched at least 7.0 innings in each of his final four starts last year. He was 4-2 with a 4.97 ERA.
• This season, Delongchamp is 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA in 9.1 innings. He has allowed just 10 hits and has struck out 10.
• Banner is 2-0 with a 3.29 ERA and has walked just two in 27.1 innings. UAlbany has won three of his four Friday starts.
• Belcher has been one of the best freshman pitchers in the league this season, entering the weekend with a 1-0 record and a 3.80 ERA in 21.1 innings. He has struck out 25 and walked four on the year.
• Gajowski has posted a 7.16 ERA in four appearances (two starts). He has allowed three runs or less in 3-of-4 outings, including a season-best 7.0 innings last week vs Lehigh.
• Clay Robbins starts on Sunday and owns a 4.86 ERA in 16.2 innings. He has struck out 17 and walked five. Robbins has allowed four runs in each of his last two starts but did strikeout a season-high six in his last outing.

Bryant vs. UAlbany

• Bryant is 9-0 all-time vs the Great Danes. The Bulldogs have won all six meetings as America East foes.
• Last season, Bryant swept UAlbany in Albany, 11-6, 17-4 and 11-1.  

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Bryant is 8-10-1 on the year following an 11-0 win over Harvard on Tuesday.
• The Bulldogs are hitting .257 with 44 doubles and 15 home runs on the year. Bryant's pitching staff owns a 4.68 ERA and has struck out 165 batters in 152.0 innings.
• Gavin Noriega has 12 RBI over his last eight games and now leads the team with 22 on the year.
• Brandyn Durand leads the team with a .357 average and 15 runs scored. He's added four home runs and 17 RBI.

Scouting the Great Danes

• UAlbany owns a 6-9 overall record. The Great Danes have series victories over Longwood and Hofstra.
• The Great Danes are hitting .250 but have just 30 total extra-base hits. 
• Logan Morris is hitting .381, while Ryan Ferremi is batting .340 with four doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI.
• UAlbany has a team ERA of 9.43 and has struck out just 74 in 119.1 innings. Opponents are hitting .341 off UAlbany.