Box Score / Box Score (PDF)

Smithfield, RI - Bryant clipped Wagner 2-1 in the season finale for both teams at Conaty Park.  Both teams struggled with runners in scoring position, batting .167 (3-for-18) while stranding 21 runners on the bases.

In defeat, the Seahawks finish the season up at 22-33 and 15-17 in the NEC while the Bulldogs improve to 33-21 and 24-8.

Bryant's David Soltis opened the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. Later in the frame with runners at second-and-third and one out, sophomore RHP Nick Pavia (Staten Island, NY / St. Joseph By The Sea) evaded further damage by inducing a pop up for the second out, before striking out Ben Lipper.

Wagner immediately answered with a single tally in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Jason Gordon (Baltimore, MD / Archbishop Curley) opened the frame with his second hit of the game. After being erased on a fielder's choice, sophomore Ian Miller (Downingtown, PA / Bishop Shanahan) swiped his second base of the game. Senior Tommy Higgins (Port Monmouth, NJ / Red Bank Catholic) then walked, before classmate Eddie Brown (Edison, NJ / St. Joseph's (Metuchen) / Seton Hall) was plunked for the second time to load up the bases. Freshman Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ / Monroe Township) then evened the score with a sacrifice fly to right field to chase home Miller.

The Bulldogs again threatened in the bottom of the fifth as Connor Carignan walked, before Kevin Brown was plunked. However, the Seahawks rose to the challenge as Hunter picked off Carignan at second, before reliever freshman Max Schmardel (Eatontown, NJ / Monmouth Regional) induced an inning-ending double play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Bryant reclaimed the lead with a two-out rally. Dan Muscatello was plunked, before stealing second as the Bulldog shortstop somehow evaded Hunter's strong throw to the bag. Carl Anderson followed with a single to center field, scoring Muscatello while giving BU a 2-1 lead.

Wagner threatened to tie teh game in the top of the eighth against the Bryant bullpen. Junior Jayson Keel (Starkville, MS / Starkville / Holmes CC) was plunked with one out, before graduate student Bill Murphy (Cranford, NJ / Roselle Catholic / Rutgers) followed with a sharp single to left field while knocking Bulldog reliever Trevor Lacosse from the game.  Unfortunately, Salvatore Lisanti struck out the next batter and after plunking Nick Alfano (Jr., Coral Springs, FL / North Broward Prep) to load up the bases, induced an inning-ending ground out to escape without incident.

Bryant was in position to added to the lead in the bottom part of the frame, only to have the Seahawk defense rise to the challenge. Jamie Skagerlind led off with a single, before moving to second on a wild pitch. Mike Delponte followed with a single that fell just in front of Alfano. On the play, Skagerlind was forced to hold until the ball dropped, allowing Alfano to showcase his powerful arm with a strike to third that easily cut down the Bulldog first baseman.

The Green & White again threatened in the top of the ninth inning. With two outs and Brown at first, Dini and Keel each singled to again load up the bases. As was the case in the previous frame, Lisanti induced an inning-ending ground out for the final out of the game.

All nine Wagner regulars reached base safely as the Seahawks out-hit the Bulldogs by a 9-8 count. Leading the way was Brown, who went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. He finishes up the season as the team's leading hitter (.314), while also adding team-bests in doubles (15), home runs (3), RBI (36), OBP (.404) and slugging percentage (.456). 

Also recording multiple-hits was Gordon, who finished up 2-for-4. Despite not recording a hit, Miller swiped two bases and finishes the year with a league best 34.

Muscatello paced Bryant, finishing up 2-for-3 with a double, run and a key stolen base.

Schmardel (0-5) assumed the loss, yielding one run on one hit over 2.0 solid innings. Pavia was outstanding in his final start of the year, striking out three while allowing just one run on five hits over 4.0 innings.

Bryant RHP Kevin McAvoy (5-1) earned the win, striking out two while yielding one run on six hits over 7.0 innings.  Lisanti struck out one over 1.2 scoreless frames for his ninth save of the season.

Today's game was also the final one for Brown, Higgins, Hunter, Murphy and RHP Ryan Van Spronsen (Brantford, Ontario / Assumption College). The five seniors helped lead head coach Jim Carone's first Wagner team to a four-win improvement from a year ago, including a plus-three improvement during conference play. The Seahawks return 26 letterwinners, including five regulars in the field and three of their four weekend starters.