The Hofstra University softball team opened their yearly Battle of Long Island series against Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) rival Stony Brook, falling 6-4 on April 25. The Pride fell to 11-11 in conference play and 16-25 overall. The Seawolves improved to 16-6 in CAA matchups with a 23-20 overall mark.
Stony Brook took the lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Nicole Allen that scored Kyra McFarland who led off the bottom of the first inning with a single. She advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch and then broke the ice by crossing home on Allen’s base knock.
Hofstra loaded the bases in the second inning after a single by Mackenzie Fitzgerald, a walk to Gemma D’Orazio and a bunt single by Nicole Cancel. Lily Yepez tied the game with an RBI bloop single to left field. Chelsea Villar reached on a fielder’s choice and Anna Butler followed by drawing a four-pitch bases loaded walk to give Hofstra the lead. Alanna Morse broke open the game with a single to center field to extend Hofstra’s lead to three runs and to put the home team in a 4-1 hole.
After giving up a run in a shaky first inning, Emma Falen found her rhythm, striking out four and only allowing three hits. In the fifth inning though, the Seawolves bats woke up. McFarland, Allen and Alyssa Costello led off the inning with singles. The Seawolves cut Hofstra’s lead to one after a sacrifice fly by Mia Vannelli and an RBI single from Emily Reinstein. Falen’s day ended after the Seawolves cut the lead to 4-3 and Butler took the circle to try and limit the damage and keep the lead intact. She didn’t allow another hit in the inning, but she wasn’t able to keep Hofstra in front. Stony Brook knotted the game at four after Emma Scheitinger hit the second sacrifice fly in the inning.
The Seawolves took the lead in the sixth inning. With runners on second and third, McFarland notched the third sacrifice fly of the game and Costello added an insurance run with an RBI single to right field.
Gabrielle Maday shut down the Pride in the seventh inning, recording her last two outs via strikeout to secure the win for Stony Brook.
The Pride looked to bounce back against Stony Brook on April 26, at Bill Edwards Stadium. First pitch was set for 2:30 p.m.
