SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The LIU Brooklyn baseball team is hitting the road to take on one of the top team in the Northeast Conference, as the Blackbirds will travel to face off against league-leading Bryant in a four-game series, Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3.
SCHEDULE AND MATCH-UPS
Friday, April 1 - 3 p.m.
RHP James Karinchak (4-1, 2.08 ERA) vs. RHP Baylor LaPointe (2-3, 3.48 ERA)
Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, April 2
1 p.m. - RHP Brandon Bingel (3-1, 2.81 ERA) vs. RHP Brian Drapeau (0-3, 5.47 ERA)
3:30 p.m. - RHP James Davitt (3-1, 4.32 ERA) vs. LHP Cory Hart (1-1, 6.43 ERA)
Live Stats
Sunday, April 3 - 3 p.m.
LHP Steve Theetge (2-0, 5.51 ERA) vs. RHP Anthony Rupp (0-1, 6.86 ERA)
Live Stats | Live Video
LAST TIME OUT
The Blackbirds scored two runs in the seventh inning to threaten the New York Institute of Technology on LIU Field Wednesday afternoon, but the Bears would hold the Blackbirds off, taking the one-run non-conference win, 4-3. Freshman Luis Arias led LIU at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Junior Tommy Jakubowski had two RBI for LIU with his hit. LIU's bullpen had some bright spots, as sophomore Cory Hart pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, while freshman Mike Kreiger closed the game for LIU, giving up just one hit in 2.0 innings of work.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Bryant enters the weekend with the NEC's best overall record, 14-5, and 4-0 in conference games. The Bulldogs are coming off a 10 day break, having swept CCSU (6-1, 8-1, 7-0, 5-4) before falling to Hartford, 9-8.
The Bulldogs, who fell to Sacred Heart in last year's championship game, have continued last year's success into this season. Bryant has been dominant in the early season, beating #22 Kentucky, and taking two out of three from George Mason. The Bulldogs lead the conference in team ERA (3.47) and are second in team batting average, hitting .283.
Sophomore righty James Karinchak, Bryant's ace, is one of the top starters in the NEC, with a 4-1 record, a 2.08 ERA, and 36 strikeouts so far this season, leading the league. Meanwhile, sophomore infielder and RHP Brandon Bingel is right behind him, with three wins on the mound, and a 2.81 ERA.
Offensively, senior first baseman Robby Rinn continues to be a threat for Bryant. He's second in the NEC, hitting .415, and leads the conference in hits (34), RBI (23), doubles (10), and total bases (52). Junior outfielder Matt Albanese is also a tough out for opponents, as he's hitting .341 with eight doubles, four stolen bases, and 15 RBI.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds return to LIU Field to host Wagner, Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10.