After a tough loss in game one, The Hofstra University softball team took game two of their double header against the College of Charleston in a 6-2 victory on Friday, April 18. The Pride moved to 11-9 in conference play, just a game behind Charleston in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings.
Carley Ernst had a huge game in the circle, pitching a complete game, allowing just one earned run on nine hits, while striking out five batters. She earned her fourth win as a member of the Pride with the strong outing.
Ryley Kutter was tagged with the loss after 5.2 innings in the circle, allowing six earned runs on nine hits. Kutter allowed no runs in her first three innings, but the Pride put up a three spot in the fourth.
Olivia Malinowski had an explosive game at the plate, going 2-3, earning three RBIs on a double and single. Anna Butler and Alanna Morse each had a multi-hit game.
Leela Langston and Halle Cannon each had a three-hit game for the Cougars. Jay Wrightsman drove in the only RBI for the Cougars, as their other run was scored via a passed ball.
Austy Miller singled in the top of the first and was caught stealing by Gemma D’Orazio at second base. The Cougars were not able to string together any hits to score in the first, but their offense produced in the second. Langston got the Cougars started with a single to right center field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Julia Sitterding. Langston came into third safely on a groundout from Karly Smith and came home to score on a passed ball.
The Pride were scoreless through the first three frames but were able to have a protective fourth inning at the plate.
Butler doubled to right center field and Mackenzie Fitzgerald bunt singled, allowing Butler to advance to third. Morse drove in the run with a single to right field and Malinowski cleared the bases on a two-RBI double to left center field.
Hofstra put up another three spot in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Dahlia Palacio singled to center field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from D’Orazio. Malinowski came up big for the Pride again, ripping a single to left field, bringing Palacio in to score. Lily Yepez kept the rally going with a single. Kutter dealt a walk to Chelsea Villar to load the bases for Butler, who made the Cougars pay with a two-RBI single through the right side.
The Cougars tried to claw back in the top of the seventh with a one-run inning. Cannon singled up the middle and scored on Wrightsman’s double to right field, but it was too little, too late as the Pride retired Miller to end the game and split the double header.
The Pride looked to win the rubber game of the series on Saturday, April 19 at Bill Edward’s Stadium. The first pitch was scheduled for 1 p.m.
