Bryant Baseball Drops Fifth Straight Game

Justin Hackett homered twice but a five-run sixth inning from UMBC led the Retrievers to a 6-5 victory over the Bryant University baseball team on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 13-16 overall and 4-6 in America East play. Bryant has dropped five-straight games.

Hackett hit his first two career home runs, including a two-run shot in the ninth as Bryant rallied late. He finished with three RBI. Jake Gustin also homered and doubled twice.

Game Information
UMBC 6, Bryant 5
Records: Bryant 13-16, 4-6 | UMBC 15-15, 6-4
Location: Conaty Park (Smithfield, R.I.)
W|L|S: Johnson | LeVangie | Kelly

Key Moments

Bryant held a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Liam LeVangie induced a ground ball up the middle that appeared to be an inning-ending double play. The last hop caused the ball to take off and go into center for a single. The Retrievers would score five runs in the inning.
How it Happened

Bryant grabbed the lead with back-to-back doubles in the third. Gustin sliced a double over the head of the shortstop and Smith followed with a double to right center.
UMBC tied the game with a solo home run in the fifth.
Bryant retook the lead in the bottom of the inning as Hackett and Gustin hit back-to-back home runs to make it 3-1. Hackett’s first collegiate home run was to dead center, while Gustin homered down the right field line.
In the top of the sixth, Bryant seemed destined to get out of the inning but a double-play ball took a bad hop at the end and went into center for a single. The Retrievers would go on to score five runs in the inning. A wild pitch brought in a run and a two-run home run gave UMBC a 4-3 lead. The Retrievers added to the lead with a pair of two-out bloop singles.
Bryant rallied in the ninth with two outs. Jackson Phinney drew a two-out walk and Hackett followed with a two-run home run to left field. Gustin then doubled to left center and Smith was walked to put two on. Gavin Noriega then hit a hot smash but it went right to the second baseman to end the inning.
Inside the Box Score

Kyle Rizy started but left with one on in the second. He allowed no runs on two hits.
Mark Scamardella came on in relief and allowed one run over 2.2 innings of relief. He walked two and struck out a career-high five.
Liam LeVangie allowed four runs on three hits over 1.1 innings of relief.
Matthew Stansky fired 1.2 innings of one-run relief, while M.T. Morrissey and Tyler Tornberg notched scoreless innings.
Hackett homered twice and drove in three runs.
Gustin had three hits, including a home run and two doubles.
Smith reached three times with a double and two walks.
Game Notes

Bryant and UMBC were meeting for the first time in program history.
The Bulldogs were playing just their fourth home game of the season.
Smith extended his hitting streak to 10 games, one shy of his career high.
Hackett’s home runs were the first two of his career.
Gustin’s home run was his 17th career home run, tying him for ninth in DI program history.
Gustin’s now has 45 career doubles, moving him past Jordan Mountford and into sole possession of seventh in DI program history.
Scamardella registered career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts.
Up Next
Bryant and UMBC continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.