SMITHFIELD, R.I. –
Hunter Kingsbury capped a three-run sixth inning rally with a two-out, two-run single to lift the Bryant baseball team to a 7-5 victory over NJIT in game one of Sunday's doubleheader at Conaty Park.
With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 15-9 overall and 3-2 in America East play. Bryant and NJIT play the rubber match of their weekend series in game two of Sunday's doubleheader.
Trailing 5-4 in the sixth,
Charlie Saul got things started with a pinch-hit double to center. He was still at second with two outs when
Carlos Irizarry laced a first-pitch single into center for a two-out game-tying single. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, Kingsbury shot a 1-2 pitch back through the middle for a go-ahead two-run single.
Aidan Vining, who earned his fourth victory without a loss with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, stranded the bases-loaded in the top of the seventh with a fly out.
Kingsbury's knock was his only hit of the game, while Irizarry hit a two-run home run and finished with three RBI.
Game Information
Bryant 7, NJIT 5
Records: Bryant 15-9, 3-2 | NJIT 8-13, 2-3
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Aidan Vining (4-0) | Anzaldi (0-2)
Key Moment
- Kingsbury broke a 5-5 tie with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth.
How it Happened
- NJIT scored twice in the first for the second straight game in the series. A HBP and a double put two on and Camilleri drove in both with a double to left center.
- Bryant answered with a run in the bottom of the first as Casey Wensley led off with a double and scored on a two-out single from Greger.
- The Highlanders extended their lead on a solo home run to center from Conner Rippo in the second.
- Bryant grabbed the lead with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Mike Fiatarone walked to start things and went to third on a single from Hudson Story. Jacob Gaudreau then laid down a perfect safety squeeze to bring in a run. Irizarry then stepped the plate and hammered a hanging slider over the left field wall for a two-run home run and a 4-3 Bryant lead.
- Dylan Scudder settled down to retire 10 straight batters before the Highlanders chased him with three-straight singles to tie the game. A fielder's choice then gave NJIT a 5-4 lead.
- Bryant was able to take the lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Saul led off with a pinch-hit double to dead center and came around to score as Irizarry ripped a two-out single to center. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases and Kingsbury was able to shoot a 1-2 pitch through the middle for a two-run single to give Bryant a 7-5 lead.
- In the top of the seventh, a single and two walks loaded the bases with two outs. Vining bore down and induced a fly ball to center to end the rally and the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Bryant outhit NJIT, 10-8.
- Dylan Scudder allowed five runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out a season-high five.
- Aidan Vining earned the win with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out one.
- Irizarry went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. He also scored twice and stole a base.
- Kingsbury drove in two runs.
- Wensley picked up hits, including a double, and scored twice.
- Story went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Mark Scamardella, a 2025 Bryant grad, started for NJIT and allowed four runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
Game Notes
- Bryant improves to 9-6 all-time against NJIT.
- Bryant improves to 9-2 at home this season and is now 143-35 at home since the start of 2016.
- Bryant stole two bases and now has stolen 71 bases through the first 24 games of the season.
- Greger extended his hitting streak to seven games and his on-base streak to 13.
- Wensley now has 14 multi-hit games on the season and 46 in his career. He has eight multi-hit games in his last nine.
- Kingsbury is now 13-for-37 with 13 RBI in 10 games since his return to the lineup. He has an RBI in each of his last four games.
- Irizarry's home run was his second of the week, second of the season and the 20th of his collegiate career.
- Story collected multiple hits for the fourth time this season and the 20th time in his collegiate career.
- Vining now leads the team with four wins and has 26 wins in his collegiate career.
- Vining continues to lead all active college pitchers with 329 career strikeouts.
Up Next
Bryant and NJIT will play the second game of Sunday's doubleheader to wrap up the series.