ORLANDO – The Bryant baseball team celebrated a solid win, beating UCF 5-3 at John Euliano Park on Sunday. This victory marks the Bulldogs’ first win against a Big 12 team.
With this win, Bryant’s record improves to 2-3 for the season. Five pitchers took the mound to keep UCF at bay. Clay Robbins was impressive in his first start, tossing 3.1 innings without giving up a hit. He was backed by Brooks Ey, Jared Burrows, Toby Scheidt, and Liam Chamberlain, who all played crucial roles in the win.
Bryant got on the scoreboard first, using a mix of smart baserunning and solid batting. They scored runs through a sacrifice fly, ground outs, and a safety squeeze. A pivotal moment came in the eighth inning when Brandyn Durand hit a double, extending the lead to 5-2. Charlie Saul and Shea Grady both had standout performances, each contributing two hits and an RBI.
Game Summary:
Bryant: 5, UCF: 3
Records: Bryant 2-3 | UCF 6-1
Location: John Euliano Park (Orlando, FL)
Win | Loss | Save: Ey (1-0) | Siegel (1-1) | Chamberlain (1)
Key Moments:
- Bryant pulled off double plays in the first and third innings, helping Robbins navigate early pressure.
- Durand’s clutch RBI double in the eighth added an important insurance run.
How It Unfolded:
- Bryant scored first in the second inning with a sac fly by Saul.
- A double by Grady in the third set up another run, bringing the score to 2-0.
- In the fifth, a safety squeeze brought in another run, making it 3-1 for the Bulldogs.
- UCF pushed back, scoring two runs in the fifth to narrow the gap to 3-2.
- Bryant answered with runs in the seventh and eighth innings, extending their lead.
- UCF tried to rally in the eighth, scoring but ultimately fell short.
- Chamberlain closed the game with a strong ninth inning, including two strikeouts.
Game Highlights:
- Bryant out-hit UCF 7-6.
- The Bulldogs played error-free baseball.
- Robbins had a strong outing, allowing no hits while striking out several batters.
- Durand finished the weekend strong, with four RBIs over the games.
This game marks a significant achievement for Bryant baseball, as they continue to build momentum this season. Up next, the Bulldogs will face Merrimack in their home opener on February 25 at 2:30 PM.