Smithfield, R.I. (May 3, 2019) - The Mount St. Mary's baseball team was clipped 4-1 by Bryant in a pitcher's duel on Friday afternoon at Conaty Park. Both starting pitchers went past seven frames but the Bulldogs' bats were stronger than the Mountaineers' bats in the first game of the series. Senior Alex Kriss led the offense after he went 3-for-4 with his team leading 14th double and number 46 run batted in of the year.

Owen Wosleger, Zack Costello, A.J. Narcise, CJ Kozorosky, and Bryant Shives added the only other five hits from the Mount on the day and Narcise tabbed the only other extra base hit with a double. Trey McGough started the game and pitched 7.2 frames and was just one out away from his first complete game of the season in the loss. McGough allowed just four runs and struck out one batter that increased his k's number on the year to 52.

After a scoreless first inning, Bryant (33-14, 14-2 NEC) struck first in the bottom of the second that gave them an early 1-0 lead. Sam Owens led off with a double to left field and was brought home to score later in the inning off of a RBI single off the bat of Nick Angelini.

Mount St. Mary's (13-31, 6-13 NEC) had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the top of the third. With two outs, Owen Wosleger and Alex Kriss strung together back to back singles and advanced to second and third after Patrick Causa worked a five pitch walk to load the bases. The Bulldogs starter Steve Theetge forced the next batter Thomas Savastio to groundout to the shortstop to end the inning and stranded the bases loaded.

The Bulldogs plated three more runs in the bottom of the third and only let the Mountaineers score one run in the game that gave them the 4-1 victory. In the bottom of the third, Sam Owens hit a RBI double down the right field line and Nick Angelini hit a two RBI single to right field for Bryant's last three runs of the game.

In the top of the fifth for the Mount, CJ Kozorosky led off with a single through the left side and advanced to second after Bryant Shives grounded out to the pitcher. Later in the inning with two outs, Alex Kriss plated Kozorosky with a RBI double to right field for Mount St. Mary's lone run of the game.

Sam Owens and Nick Angelini carried the Bulldogs after they combined for five hits, four RBI, and two doubles. The Bryant ace Steve Theetge led the team after he started the game and pitched eight frames while he only gave up one run and struck out five in the win.

Steve Theetge (7-1) recorded his seventh win of the season for the Bulldogs while Nathan Wrighter (3) earned his third save of the year after he pitched a scoreless ninth inning and tabbed two strikeouts. Trey McGough (3-4) picked up the loss for the Mount despite throwing seven strong innings.

The Mountaineers and Bryant will play a double header tomorrow, May 4 with the first game at 12 PM.