Bryant Baseball’s Ten Game Winning Streak Snapped

NJIT used a run in the top of the eighth to earn a 7-6 victory over the Bryant baseball team in game two of their America East series on Saturday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The Bulldogs fall to 28-17-1 overall and 14-6 in America East play with their first loss in 11 games. Bryant and NJIT meet in the rubber match of the series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

On Saturday, NJIT built a 6-2 lead before the Bulldogs scored four times in the seventh to tie the game. Cole Campbell’s RBI triple in the eighth broke the deadlock and Anthony Anzaldi stranded the tying run on second in the ninth.

Charlie Saul led Bryant with three hits, while Zac Zyons and Gavin Greger each drove in a pair of runs.

Game Information
NJIT 7, Bryant 6
Records: Bryant 28-17-1, 14-6 | NJIT 24-23, 11-9
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Anzaldi (2-2) | Pletter (0-1)

Key Moments
NJIT broke a 6-6 tie with an RBI triple in the top of the eighth.
How it Happened
NJIT took a 2-0 lead in the first as Mason Wolf hit an opposite field two-run home run.
The Bulldogs cut into the deficit as Saul brought home Greger (2B) with a two-out double to left center.
The Highlanders extended their lead with a four-run fifth inning. Ty Sallie singled through the right side with the bases loaded to score the first two runs and Jack Stead made it 6-1 with a two-run single to right center.
Papetti brought the Bulldogs closer in the fifth as he clubbed an opposite field home run to right center.
Bryant erased the deficit in the seventh, plating four runs to tie the game at 6-6. D’Amato and Saul opened the inning with singles and advanced on a Papetti sac bunt. Zyons then laced a double into left center to plate both and make it 6-4. After a strikeout, Wyers and D’Amico both drew walks to load the bases. NJIT then went to a lefty to face Greger and Greger delivered a game-tying two-run single to left field.
In the eighth, Campbell hit a 3-2 pitch into right center for an RBI triple to give NJIT a 7-6 lead.
Bryant put the tying run on base in the eighth and ninth but could not bring it around. In the ninth, Noriega reached second with no outs but Anzaldi retired the 3-4-5 hitters in Bryant’s lineup to close the door.
Inside the Box Score
Bryant outhit NJIT, 10-9.
Clay Robbins was charged with three runs on five hits over 4.0+ innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Kyle Rizy allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits over 3.0 innings. He walked two and struck out two.
Jack Pletter suffered the loss, allowing the run in the eighth.
Owen Birchard struck out four over 1.2 innings of relief.
Saul went 3-for-4 with an RBI double.
Greger had two hits and drove in two runs.
Zyons drove in two runs with a double.
Papetti homered for the second straight game.
Game Notes
Bryant is now 6-5 in 11 all-time meetings with NJIT. Saturday marked NJIT’s first win at Conaty Park.
The loss snapped Bryant’s 10-game winning streak. The Bulldogs had won seven-straight league games as well.
Bryant falls to 14-6-1 at home this year.
Wyers extended his on-base streak to 28 games.
D’Amato has reached safely in 22-straight games.
Zyons extended his on-base streak to 22 games.
Papetti’s home run was his fourth of the year.
Saul is now hitting .346 (18-52) with eight extra-base hits in America East play.
Birchard has now struck out 13 batters over his last 5.1 innings.
Greger has driven in 18 runs in America East play.
Up Next
Bryant and NJIT wrap up their series on Sunday afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.