A late sixth-inning comeback from the Hofstra University softball team gave the Pride the series victory over Campbell University with a 3-2 win on Saturday, March 29. The Pride have been hot as of late – winning six of their last seven games. Hofstra now sits at 5-6 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play and moves to 8-20 overall on the season.
Alana Morse and Dahlia Palacio each drove in a run for the Pride with the game winning run coming home on an error when the Pride threatened with two runners on.
Hofstra took the lead in the top of the sixth inning, capitalizing on an error to overtake the Fighting Camels. Mackenzie Fitzgerald started an exciting sixth inning with a single to left field, which Gemma D’Orazio followed with a bunt single. This moved Fitzgerald into a scoring position. Morse brought in the tying run on her double to center field. Kellie Sandas put the ball in play in her first plate appearance of the season, but it was not enough to score against D’Orazio, who was thrown out at the plate. Sophia Polzella pinch ran for Sandas, making an instant impact, stealing second base and forcing an overthrow that brought Morse home.
Carley Ernst earned her first win in the circle as a member of the Pride. She had gone 13 previous starts without recording a win, but her five innings on the mound limited the Fighting Camels to just four hits and two earned runs. Ernst got into trouble, dealing five walks, but was able to get out of multiple high-pressure situations.
Campbell’s starting pitcher, Hannah Leierer, lasted five innings on the mound, allowing six Hofstra hits and three runs. She was pulled from the game in the sixth when the Pride rallied to put up a two spot. Campbell brought in Cassiti Baroni who allowed only one hit in two innings of work.
The Fighting Camels took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, putting up two runs and did not score again. Leadoff hitter Tyra Parker worked a four-pitch walk and advanced to third on a single to left field from Madison Ford. Hannah Cornetto brought in the first run of the game on a single to right field and advanced Ford to third. Ford came home on a sacrifice fly from Amber DeSena. With only one out and two early runs, Ernst settled in, forcing two groundouts to limit the damage.
Hofstra did not answer until the top of the third inning. Lily Yepez recorded her first triple of the season with a hard-hit ball to center field. Palacio grounded out to second base to score Yepez, closing the deficit to just one run.
Ernst did not allow another hit until the fourth inning. Alyssa Armijo led off with a single to center field, but the Hofstra defense shut down the hopes of a Campbell rally.
Ernst struggled to get out of the sixth inning, walking back-to-back batters. Emma Falen came out of the bullpen, striking out two and forcing a groundout.
Falen earned the save, putting up a 1-2-3 inning to end the game, securing the Hofstra victory.
The Pride looked for the series sweep on Sunday, March 30. The first pitch was scheduled for noon.
