The Hofstra University softball team shut out a strong Campbell University team 4-0 on Friday,
March 28, to give the Fighting Camels their second loss in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play. The win moves the Pride to 7-20 overall and 4-6 in CAA play, and they have won five of their last six games.
The Hofstra pitching was lights-out: Emma Falen – who was named CAA Pitcher of the Week after her 18-strikeout performance across three games – put on a clinic in the circle, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing only three hits and shutting out the Fightin’ Camel’s offense. She dealt eight strikeouts, tying her career-high as a member of the Pride. Falen now has a record of 5-6 on the mound and lowers her ERA to 3.93. Carley Ernst pitched the final two outs of the game, not allowing the runner on to score, keeping the shutout intact.
Megan Gregory held the Hofstra offense to just five hits, but the Pride was lifted to victory with home runs by Anna Butler and Mackenzie Fitzgerald. These are both Butler and Fitzgerald’s second home runs of the season.
The Pride struck first in the top of the first inning with a two-spot to get ahead early. Dahlia
Palacio put the ball in play and got on by a Campbell error. Butler made the Fighting Camels
pay for their mistake, smacking a home run over the right-center field fence in the next at-bat. Gregory got out of the inning, limiting the damage to just two runs.
Campbell had an opportunity to score in the second, but Falen escaped the inning unscathed. Hannah Cornetto and Alyssa Armijo each drew walks, but a strikeout ended the inning.
Butler stayed hot at the plate in the third inning, getting her second knock of the day, a single to left field. Fitzgerald brought in the final run of the game with her home run to left center field. Hofstra looked to add to their lead when Gemma D’Orazio walked and stole second. The rally was shut down with a popout from Sophia Polzella and a strikeout from Carmella Gallagher.
Armijo continued to get on for the Fightin’ Camels with a single to left field in the bottom of the fourth, but Campbell could not get the offense going.
A two-out rally looked promising for Campbell in the fifth inning. Charlie Montgomery singled, followed by a walk from Tyra Parker. Montgomery and Parker put themselves into scoring position with a double steal, but Falen got out of trouble with a fly ball out to center field.
D’Orazio doubled in the sixth but Gregory made quick work to finish the inning.
Cadan Brinkman drew a walk, marking Falen’s last batter of the game in the seventh. Ernst came out of the bullpen and finished the shutout. She forced a flyout and ended the game with a strikeout.
The Pride played game two of the series against Campbell on Saturday, March 29. The first pitch was scheduled for noon.
