SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant baseball team opened winter practice on Monday afternoon, preparing for the upcoming 2026 season. BryantBulldogs.com breaks down the Bulldogs position-by-position.
Position: Catchers
Returners: Brandyn Durand,
Jacob Gaudreau,
Cam Papetti
Newcomers: Yamil Perez, Tommy Malloy
Quick Pitch:
Bryant returns one of its deepest catching groups in recent memory as
Brandyn Durand,
Jacob Gaudreau and
Cam Papetti return after all contributing in 2025. The trio combined for 20 home runs, 68 RBI and 87 runs scored last spring.
Fun Fact:
Brandyn Durand is the only player in DI program history with 10+ home runs in back-to-back seasons.
Notes and Notables:
- Durand, a preseason All-America East selection, returns for his final season in Smithfield as one of the top power threats in the region and one of the best home run hitters in program history. He has appeared in 100 games (98 starts) in two seasons, hitting .264 (102-386) with 22 doubles, 23 home runs, 77 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
- Durand's 23 home runs are tied for fourth in DI program history, just seven shy of tying Gavin Noriega's program record of 30.
- Gaudreau is once again the elder statesman behind the dish, returning to Bryant for his fifth year. He is coming off the best year of his career after he hit .310 (22-71) with five doubles, 19 runs scored and a .484 OBP (17 BB, 7 HBP).
- Gaudreau took over as Bryant's primary DH down the stretch, going 9-for-19 with three doubles and six runs scored over the final seven games of the season. He has appeared in 58 career games and has a career OBP of .405.
- Cam Papetti enjoyed a breakout rookie season that saw him earn a spot on the America East All-Rookie team thanks to a DI freshmen record-tying eight home runs. He finished the year with 18 RBI, a .530 OPS and a .374 OBP.
- Papetti had a magical end of the season in which each of his last seven hits were home runs. Weirdly enough, Papetti also tied for the team lead with 10 sac bunts.
- Behind the plate, Papetti threw out seven runs and had just one passed ball on the year.
- Yamil Perez and Tommy Malloy are the two newcomers and join the Bulldogs as a true freshmen. Perez was a First Team All-Shoreline Conference selection, helping North Branford reach the third round of the CIAC Class S State Tournament.
- Malloy is a Rhode Island native that shined locally for La Salle Academy and UD Post 14.
