Bryant Bulldogs Clinch NEC Northeast Division Crown in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Bryant University's baseball team locked up the Northeast Conference Northeast Division championship Saturday with a 5-2 victory over Central Connecticut at the Bulls Baseball Complex. The win, first reported by turnto10.com, caps a dominant regular season for the Bulldogs, who have a rich history of NEC success dating back to their nine straight regular-season titles from 2013 to 2021.

The Bulldogs, located in Smithfield just north of Providence, scored early and held off a late rally from the Blue Devils. Key contributions came from the pitching staff, which limited CCSU to five hits, and timely hitting that built a three-run lead by the fifth inning. Bryant's record now stands at 24-12-1 overall and 20-4 in conference play, mirroring their 2021 season when they clinched the title with a 7-5 win over Wagner at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, N.J.

This division title revives memories of Bryant's NEC dynasty, including their second consecutive tournament championship in 2014 with a 6-2 win over Sacred Heart in Norwich, Conn., earning an NCAA bid. After moving to the America East Conference, Bryant swept the 2024 AE Tournament for their first title there, but recent realignment returned them to NEC competition. As the top seed in 11 of 11 postseason appearances, the Bulldogs head to the NEC playoffs with momentum.

The victory underscores Bryant's status as Rhode Island's premier Division I baseball program, drawing fans from Providence and beyond. With the NEC tournament looming, coach Nate Horwell's squad eyes another automatic NCAA bid, building on their legacy as the first NEC team to win six spring titles in 2014.