MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Bentley baseball team clobbered eight home runs, including two each by Hunter Smith and Cory Bright, as the Falcons won both ends of a doubleheader against Bridgeport Saturday at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Bentley 17, Bridgeport 9

Smith homered twice – including a grand slam – while Jackson Walonis and Tim Zupkus also went yard, in a 17-9 triumph in the first game of the doubleheader against Bridgeport.

Smith set the tone right away, as Bentley's leadoff batter crushed a home run in the first inning. Zupkus hit his first home of the 2024 season in the third inning – a solo shot that give Bentley a 3-2 lead.

Bridgeport rallied for three runs in the sixth inning, but Bentley answered back – and then some – the next two innings. The Falcons put up four runs in the seventh stanza. Zupkus reached base with a double, and came in to score to tie the game, 4-4, when the outfield misplayed a ball on a single by Steve Rizzuto.

Two batters later, Bright drew a walk to put two runners on base. Walonis took advantage of the situation and belted a three-run homer.

The Falcons kept their foot on the gas in the eighth inning, scoring 10 runs in the frame. Joe Cacciatore and Patrick Purcell each hit RBI doubles during the huge rally, and Smith delivered a grand slam over the right field fence.

Smith finished the game 3-for-6 at the plate, including three runs. Zupkus also scored three times after going 2-for-5 at the plate. Walonis finished the game with three hits in five at-bats.

Bentley 11, Bridgeport 5

Bright cleared the outfield fences twice, while Tyler Gonzalez and Brian Lindsay also hit home runs to complete the doubleheader sweep, 11-5, against Bridgeport.

Bright went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs. Gonzalez also had a three-hit game (3-for-4), scoring twice and knocking in two runs. Lindsay and Rizzuto each collected two hits. Lindsay's home run was his second of the season.

The game was tied, 4-4, before the Falcons erupted for a seven-run sixth inning.

Bentley's trip concludes Sunday, Feb. 25, with a 9 a.m. game against Mercy.