How it Happened
Rhode Island (2-31) got off to a quick start with a pair of runs in the first inning, but Bryant was able to take the lead in the second inning and hold on for the 5-2 win Thursday.

Rhody got on the board in the top of the first inning. Marylynn Muldowney led off the game with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Congro. Deanna Wolf walked, and a single by Ashley Olson loaded the bases. Ali Summers lined a ball to left field that was misplayed for an error, allowing Muldowney and pinch runner Olivia Hendricks to score the first two runs of the game.

Bryant (12-26) got one back in the bottom of the first. Taylor Burger reached on a two-out single and then came around to score on a double in the right-center gap by Hayley Bottino.

In the bottom of the second, the Bulldogs took the lead on a two-run home run by Jessica Benacquista. Lauren Keast added a third run in the inning when she scored on a two-out single by Haylee Haas.

Rhode Island got the potential tying run on base in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with one out. A groundout by Deanna Wolf drove in Danielle Gariglio and put the tying runs in scoring position, but another groundout ended the game.

Bottino (4-9) began the game at third base for Bryant, but moved to the mound in the second inning and stymied the Rhody offense. Bottino pitched six innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run for the victory.

Inside the Box Score:

• Marylynn Muldowney singled and scored one run.
• Ashley Olson had a pair of infield singles.
• Ali Summers hit the ball hard twice, getting a double to center in the sixth inning. She also lined a ball to left in the first inning that resulted in a two-base error.
• Lauren Klepchick, Kylie Shivery and Danielle Gariglio each singled once.
• Megan Congro singled and had a sacrifice bunt. The sacrifice was the 17 th of her career, moving Congro into a tie for sixth place in program history with Jackie Kampmeier and Kelly Coker.
• Bri Castro made a great defensive play at third base in the third inning, diving to her left to stab a hard grounder, getting up and throwing the batter out.
• Caitlin Kennedy gave the Rams an excellent outing in relief, pitching five innings and allowing just one run on five hits. She struck out two batters.

What's Next
Rhode Island gets back to Atlantic 10 play with a three-game series against George Mason this weekend. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon.