NINTH INNING SETTER RALLY FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO BRYANT
PLEASANTVILLE, NY- Pace lost to Bryant University, 4-3, as their three-run ninth inning rally was not enough to overcome their four run deficit. The Setters drop to 29-17 overall and 14-11 in Northeast-10 Conference action, while Bulldogs improve to 17-30 overall and 15-12 in NE-10 play.
After four scoreless innings, Bryant struck first in the fifth inning as Mark Dondero (Medfield, MA/Xaverian) drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Chris Neil (Cambridge, MA/Matignon) reached base on an infield single, moving Dondero to third. Chad Valenti (Glastonbury, CT/Glastonbury) lined a single to right but Dondero was thrown out at the plate. Jason Alexander (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury) ripped a single down the left field line to score Niel.
In the sixth, the Bulldogs added a pair of runs to their lead as Paul Novakowski (Prospect, CT/Bridgton Academy) reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Chris Brown (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) and Pat McKenna (Orange, CT/Amity) hit back-to-back singles to load the bases. Dondero grounded into a fielders choice, forcing McKenna out at second but scoring Novakowski. Nick Tucarella (Salem, NH/Central Catholic) hit a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Brown.
Bryan tacked on another run in the eighth as McKenna walked but was forced out on a fielders choice by Dondero. Tucarella singled to left, advancing Dondero to third. Neil followed with a double to left, scoring Dondero.
The Setters rallied in the ninth against Bulldog reliever Adam Vuolo (Walpole, MA/Xaverian). Brian Hollrah (Glenwood, MD/Glenely) lined a pitch off Vuolo's left shoulder that ricocheted into right field for a leadoff hit. Matt Bisbano (Mt. Kisco, NY/Fox Lane) pinch hit for designated hitter Adam Harwood (Los Angeles, CA/Brentwood) and ripped a single to right moving Hollrah to second. Chris Brown (West Kingston, RI/South Kingston) drew a walk to load the bases. After working the count to 3-2, JC Pullum (White Plains, NY/Valhalla) walked scoring Hollrah. Following a strikeout, Jack Cawley (Bronx, NY/Iona Prep) hit a sacrifice fly to left, allowing Bisbano to score. Matt Arburr (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern) lined a two-out single to left to score pinch runner Joe Barracato (Westbury, NY/Clarke) from second, cutting the Bulldog lead to 4-3. Matt Castellano (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph) lined a shot back through the middle that was snared by Vuolo to end the game.
On the mound, Matt Reilly (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) started for the Setters, tossing 7 1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits, four runs (two earned), three walks, while striking out four. Eric Brown (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) came on in relief, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings. For Bryant, Dan Lozeau (Pelham, NH/Central Catholic) pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing seven hits, while recording two strikeouts. Vuolo closed out the game, allowing three hits, three earned runs, while striking out one.
The Setters and the Bulldogs will complete their two-game series
on Friday, May 5th at 3:30 pm in a Northeast-10
Conference game played on Bryant's campus in Smithfield, RI.