SMITHFIELD, R.I. First-place Bryant (20-11, 9-1 America East) snapped a 1-1 tie with five runs in the third inning and defeated visiting Binghamton baseball (13-16, 3-7 AE) 10-3 in the series opener Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The Bearcats were limited to six hits and were held off the board for seven of the nine innings.

Down 1-0, BU tied the score in the second inning. With one out, senior right fielder Mike Gunning reached on an infield error and junior third baseman Devan Bade hit a two-out single up the middle. Sophomore shortstop Mike Stellrecht followed with an RBI chopper up the middle.

But one inning later, the Bulldogs belted a three-run home run and a two-run shot to open up a 6-1 cushion. After Bryant extended its lead to 7-1, BU scored twice in the eighth and brought the tying run to the plate in a bases-loaded situation but a groundout to the pitcher ended the threat. Three walks and a hit batter aided the cause, as did an infield RBI single by Bade.

Bryant added three more runs in its final at-bat to close out the scoring.

The teams continue the weekend set at 1 p.m. Saturday. Senior left-hander Nelson Berkwich (2-3) will make his ninth start of the season.