On Thursday, May 1, Emma Falen tossed a no-hitter, notching a career-high 15 strikeouts, leading the Hofstra University softball team to a 4-0 victory over Monmouth University. The Pride return to a winning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) record of 13-12. The Pride are just one win away from clinching a berth in the CAA Tournament.
Falen twirled a gem, allowing only two baserunners on the day. Falen’s no-hitter was the first in Hofstra history, since Sarah Cornell delivered a no-no in 2017. This marks Falen’s tenth win of the season in the circle. She has accumulated 119 strikeouts in 131.1 innings of work.
Not only was the Pride’s pitching dominant but the offense was explosive as well. The Pride knocked eight hits on the day and capitalized on three Monmouth errors. The designated player, Tyler Douglas, had a big game, going 2-3 at the plate and scoring a run. Douglas also started the second-inning rally with a single, which resulted in a two-run inning for the Pride.
Izzy Bonacci was tagged with the loss, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs on eight hits. She did not have the strongest outing, but the lack of offensive production from the Hawks was a detriment to her performance. Bonacci pitched to contact, only striking out two batters and allowing no walks. Her record in the circle now stands at 3-9.
Falen’s first inning was a glimpse into how the rest of her outing would play out. She struck out three of the four batters she faced. Jayla Cadena worked a full count walk and would be one of only two baserunners for the Hawks.
The Pride got the offense flowing early, taking the lead in the first inning. Leadoff hitter, Chelsea Villar, singled through the right side and advanced to third on an Anna Butler sacrifice bunt. Alanna Morse came through with situational hitting, driving in the run on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Falen struck out two in the second inning and allowed a walk to Lexi Castaneda, the final Monmouth baserunner of the day. The Hawks were unable to move any baserunners into scoring position on the day as Falen’s pitching was spot on.
The Pride continued to put runs on the board in the second inning. Douglas singled up the middle and Gemma D’Orazio bunt singled, moving Douglas to third. Nicole Cancel lifted a ball out to center field for a sacrifice fly, bringing Douglas in to score. D’Orazio made noise on the basepaths, stealing second and came home on an overthrow. D’Orazio now leads the team in stolen bases with nine.
The Pride put up a run in the third inning, capitalizing on a Monmouth throwing error. Butler rolled over to short stop and an overthrow would put her in scoring position. Morse popped a ball out to right field, allowing Butler to tag up and take third. Butler was able to score on Dahlia Palacio’s sacrifice fly.
Falen continued to shove, fanning a total of 15 batters on the day and working five consecutive 1-2-3 innings.
The Pride hunted for the final CAA tournament spot on Friday, May 2, in game two of the series against Monmouth. The first pitch from Bill Edward’s Stadium was scheduled for noon.
