SMITHFIELD, R.I. –
Brandyn Durand's three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Bryant baseball team to a 5-3 victory over Maine in the first game of a key America East series on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.
The Bulldogs improve to 24-16-1 overall and 11-5 in league play with their 13th win in the last 14 games. Bryant has won nine of its last 10 league games and now has a half game lead over Maine in the standings.
Bryant led 2-0 into the seventh inning on Friday before Maine took a 3-2 lead with a two-run home run in the seventh and a solo shot in the eighth. Durand turned the tide in the bottom of the eighth, hitting a three-run home run down the right field line to make it 5-3.
Michael Belcher,
Kyle Rizy and
Landon White held the league's most potent offense to three runs on six hits and struck out 12. Belcher tossed 5.0 scoreless, while Rizy pitched 3.0 innings of relief to earn his sixth win. White close it out for his sixth save.
Game Information
Bryant 5, Maine 3
Records: Bryant 24-16-1, 11-5 | Maine 19-23, 12-7
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Rizy (6-0) | Fitzgerald | White (6)
Key Moments
- Durand's hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to give Bryant a 5-3 lead.
How it Happened
- Bryant grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning as Cam Papetti hit a leadoff home run to left center.
- Belcher kept Bryant in front in the fourth, pitching out of a bases-loaded jam. The Black Bears loaded the bases with no outs but Belcher struck out the next two before inducing an inning-ending fly out.
- Bryant made it 2-0 in the fifth as Zac Zyons scored on the backend of a double play ball.
- It remained 2-0 until the seventh when Aidan Bardi drew a leadoff walk. Damon Gaither hit the next pitch over the left field wall for a game-tying two-run home run.
- In the eighth, Rizy got ahead of Bardi 0-2 but left a breaking ball up in the zone and Bardi hit a home run down the left field line.
- Bryant quickly rallied in the bottom of the inning. Wyers drew a leadoff walk and Greger fouled off several two-strike pitches before ripping a 3-2 pitch to right for a double. Durand then worked a full count before hitting a 3-2 fastball just inside the right field foul pole for a three-run home run.
- Maine would put the tying runs in scoring position with a walk and a two-out double in the ninth but White ended the game with a strikeout.
Inside the Box Score
- Bryant outhit Maine, 9-6.
- Belcher allowed just three hits over 5.0 scoreless. He walked two and struck out seven.
- Rizy worked 3.0 innings of relief, allowing three runs on two hits. He walked three and struck out two.
- White struck out three in a scoreless ninth.
- Durand's lone hit of the game was his three-run home run.
- Gavin Noriega finished 2-for-3.
- Drew Wyers reached three times with a single and two walks.
- Charlie Saul posted a pair of hits.
- Papetti hit a home run and also threw out a runner attempting to steal.
Game Notes
- Bryant is now 8-6 all-time vs Maine. The two teams have split 10 America East meetings.
- The Bulldogs have won 13 of their last 14 games overall and nine of their last 10 America East games.
- Bryant is now 11-5-1 at home this season.
- Wyers extended his on-base streak to 23 games and is now hitting .472 with a .575 OBP in America East play.
- Noriega extended his on-base streak to 19 games. He now leads Bryant with 15 doubles on the year.
- Durand's home run was his eighth of the year and the 19th of his career.
- Papetti's home run was his second of the year.
- Belcher matched his season high with seven strikeouts.
- Rizy is now tied for the league lead with six wins.
- White is now second in the America East with six saves.
Up Next
Bryant and Maine continue their series on Saturday afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.
