Pioneers Fall to Bryant Despite Parker’s Strong Start

Saturday, March 21

Smithfield, RI

12 p.m.

Sacred Heart

4-15

Bryant

12-8

Sacred Heart

Bryant

Pioneers Fall to Bryant Despite Parker’s Strong Start

3/21/2026 8:25:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Sacred Heart built a lead behind strong pitching from Ryan Parker, but Bryant rallied late to walk off with a 6–2 win.

By: Julia Groff

Smithfield, R.I. – Sacred Heart built a lead behind strong pitching from Ryan Parker, but Bryant rallied late to walk off with a 6–2 win.

Records
Sacred Heart | 4-14 (3-3 MAAC)
Bryant | 13-8 (3-3 AE)

Top Performers
JW Fitzgerald: 1-4, SB
Chris Wilson: 1-3, RBI
Chuck Tallman: 1-2
Peter Link: 0-2, R
Will Rudolph: 0-2, R
Nathan Bowes: 0-2, RBI

Ryan Parker: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 6 SO

How It Happened
Ryan Parker set the tone early on the mound, recording a strikeout in the second inning and another in the third to keep Bryant in check. Sacred Heart threatened in the third as Chuck Tallman singled to right field and JW Fitzgerald followed with a bunt single, but the Pioneers were unable to push a run across.

In the fourth, Sacred Heart broke through. Peter Link and Will Rudolph each drew walks before Will Cook laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both into scoring position. Gavin Donohue was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Jack Wilson delivered a single to score Link. Nathan Bowes followed with a walk to bring home Rudolph, giving the Pioneers a 2–0 lead.

Parker continued to deal, striking out two batters in the fourth and adding another in the fifth as Bryant got on the board with a run. He recorded his sixth strikeout in the sixth, though Bryant added another run in the frame before Mitch Hawkins took over following Parker's 119-pitch outing.

In the seventh, Bryant loaded the bases and hit a grand slam to walk it off, handing Sacred Heart a 6–2 loss.

Up Next
The Pioneers host New Haven at Veterans Park for their home opener on Tuesday, March 24 at 3 p.m.