SMITHFIELD, R.I.  – Four runs in the sixth inning led the Bryant Bulldogs to a 7-2 victory over the Holy Cross softball team Tuesday afternoon in Smithfield, R.I. With the loss the Crusaders snap their three game win streak, falling to 4-6 overall, while the Bulldogs improve to 2-11.

Bryant put a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Talia Zizza doubled to score Laura Bowen from third base. Holy Cross matched Bryant in the second inning after junior Keeley Seniuk (Phoenix, Ariz.) led off with a single to left field, stole second base and scored on a RBI fielder's choice by senior Mandy Correale (Peabody, Mass.). Back to back doubles in the third inning gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead and then a single by Ashley Coon in the fourth inning led to the Bulldog's third run of the game. Sophomore Nicole Ortiz (Whittier, Calif.) led off the fifth inning with a double to left field and then crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Camille Trainor (Worcester, Mass.) to bring the Crusaders within one run. Bryant exploded for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Crusaders were unable get any runs back in the seventh, falling 7-2.

Junior Caitlin Belanger (Fall River, Mass.) started in the circle for the Crusaders, pitching five complete innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out four Bryant batters. Belanger falls to 1-2 overall. Junior Katie Alexander (Tigard, Ore.) entered the game in relief in the sixth inning, giving up four runs on four hits. Bryant's Brittany Hart earned her second win of the year, pitching four and one third innings and allowing two runs on five hits.

The Crusaders travel to Stony Brook, N.Y. on Saturday-Sunday, March 20-21 for the Stony Brook Invitational. Holy Cross will play Stony Brook and Quinnipiac on Saturday, followed by Yale and Fairfield on Sunday.