Bulldogs Top Skyhawks in Conference Finals, 5-0

Results

Easton, Mass. - Three wins in doubles competition propelled the Bryant University Bulldogs (20-3, 10-0 Northeast-10 Conference) to the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Championship, held Sunday afternoon at Stonehill College.  The number two-seeded Skyhawks (18-6, 9-1 Northeast-10 Conference) provided a valiant effort, but fell short to the top-seeded Bulldogs, 5-0. 

Bryant's Cristian Balestrieri and Thomas Nowak each had a 2-0 day for the Black and Gold.  Balestrieri scored a slim 9-8 victory at first doubles with teammate Kevin Gardiner over Michael Mashkevich (Framingham, Mass./Framingham) and Tim Fayed (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury)  Balestrieri went on to claim his second win at first singles, 6-3, 6-3. 

Nowak had similar success at second doubles with teammate Jose Rodriguez edging out Stonehill's Jason Allegretti (Lincoln, R.I./Lincoln) and William Herchel (Hampden, Mass./Hampden), 8-6.  Nowak's 7-5, 6-2 victory at third doubles triggered Bryant's celebration.  

With the win, the Bulldogs automatically qualify for the NCAA Tournament.  The Skyhawks are forced to wait while their fate is determined.