March 28, 2009

Box Score

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Rhode Island softball team (7-16; 1-1 Atlantic 10) snapped its four-game losing streak Saturday afternoon following a 3-2 (nine innings) victory over instate rival Bryant.

Rhody's extra-inning triumph was its third of the season. Earlier this year, URI defeated FAMU (Feb. 21) and Wagner (March 16) in extra innings.

Freshman Alison Hartzell (Easton, Pa.) picked up the win for Rhody as she came on in relief for sophomore starter Stacey Stanovich (Northbridge, Mass.). Hartzell went 3.1 innings, struck out six and walked only one batter.

Both teams were held scoreless for the first five innings, but in the top of the sixth, Rhody broke the scoreless tie after freshman Courtney Prendergastt (Babylon, N.Y.) doubled to right field to score freshman Brittany Julich (Kings Park, N.Y.) from second. Prendergastt's double was her first of the season. Julich got on base by leading off the inning with a single up the middle.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh, URI maintained its one-run lead, but the Bulldogs tied the game at one apiece to send the game into extra innings.

In the extra frames, Rhody scored one in the top of the eighth, but Bryant matched the Rams with a run of its own in the bottom half of the frame.

Rhody closed the door in the ninth as it scored one run in the top of the ninth and held Bryant scoreless in the bottom of the inning to secure the win. Junior Shauna Hobbins (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) plated the game-winning run as she scored from third on a wild pitch.

Rhody returns to action on Sunday as it welcomes St. Bonaventure for its 2009 home opener. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m.