SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — The Bryant Bulldogs used a trio of solo home runs and a combined six scoreless innings from their bullpen to secure a 4-2 victory over the Rhode Island Rams in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday at Bill Beck Field.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Bulldogs improve to 13-8 while the Rams fell to 7-16. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated an 8-6 Bryant win and gave the Bulldogs a 58.7% probability of victory.

Bryant’s pitching staff, despite allowing seven hits, repeatedly navigated around trouble. Rhode Island grounded into two critical double plays, and Bryant relievers Greg Gorman, Justin Dresler, Cole Schiff and Ty Davis combined for six innings of one-run ball, striking out 10.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning, with Bryant clinging to a 4-1 lead. Rhode Island mounted its most serious threat since the second inning. After a strikeout, Michael Henschel doubled and Sean Moroney singled, putting runners at the corners. Jack Hopko, who had provided all of Rhode Island’s offense with a second-inning solo shot, then delivered an RBI infield single to shortstop, scoring Henschel and moving the tying run to second base.

With the potential go-ahead run at the plate and only one out, Bryant pitcher Cole Schiff bore down. He induced a flyout from Dean King and then struck out Anthony Tolentino swinging to end the inning, preserving a 4-2 lead and extinguishing the Rams’ final rally.

Bryant’s offense was powered by the long ball. Justin Hackett broke a 1-1 tie with a solo homer to deep right field in the fourth inning. Hunter Kingsbury added another solo blast to right in the sixth, and Derek Irizarry led off the seventh with a homer to left. The Bulldogs’ final run was unearned, scoring on an RBI single by Jake Greg after a Rhode Island error.

Rhode Island starter Josh Kopetski was effective in a no-decision, pitching three hitless innings with no earned runs. Reliever AJ Jones added a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts. Hopko led the Rams’ offense, going 3 for 4 with a home run and both RBIs.

Bryant’s Ty Davis, who started the game, re-entered to pitch the ninth and earned the save. He walked the leadoff hitter but then recorded a strikeout and got a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Bulldogs continue their season with a three-game home series against NJIT starting Friday. The Rams open Atlantic 10 Conference play on the road at Richmond Friday.