The Hofstra University softball team dropped their fifth game in a row. It was a five inning 10-2 defeat against University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), which closed out the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagle Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 15. The Pride is still looking for their first victory of the 2026 season.
Hofstra opened the second game of their doubleheader on fire, scoring two runs on four hits in the first inning. Dahlia Palacio started the game with a single through the infield and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Alanna Morse singled to left field, driving in Palacio for the game’s first run. Victoria Frosbosilo placed runners in scoring position after recording the Pride’s third single of the inning. Gabriella Sultan capped off the scoring, dunking in an RBI single and scoring Morse from second.
The Warhawks responded immediately by scoring five runs in the bottom half of the inning off Hofstra’s freshman pitcher Kailyn Haig. Kailey Monsef and Brooklyn Lippert opened the inning with back-to-back walks. Meagan Brown loaded the bases for Monroe after knocking a single to left field. Hollie Thomas lifted a ball to right center that scored Monsef on a sacrifice fly to trail the Pride by a run. Morgan Brown was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the second time, ending Haig’s day in the circle and prompting Hofstra coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke to bring in Madison Steppe in relief. Elle Carter immediately took advantage by ripping bases, clearing double and advancing to third after a fielding error by Chelsea Villar. The Pride committed another fielding error one batter later when Maryssa Zenzen reached first base after an error by Palacio, scoring Carter and giving the Warhawks a 5-2 lead.
Louisiana Monroe starter Skylar Waggoner found her rhythm during the second inning, recording a 1-2-3, including a strikeout of Ryleigh Smith and groundouts from Nicole Cancel and Palacio.
Carys Platt continued the scoring for the Warhawks in the second inning with a bunt single. Kailey Monsef reached base for the second time, ripping a double to left center to place runners on second and third. Meagan Brown blew the game open with a double up the middle, extending the ULM lead to five runs.
The beat continued for the Warhawks when Hollie Thomas drove a ball to center that placed runners at the corners with one out. Morgan Brown continued to open the floodgates with a two-RBI triple. Elle Carter grounded out to third base to pick up her third RBI of the day and end the scoring for Monroe. By the end of the second inning, ULM held a commanding 10-2 lead.
The Pride tried to rally late in the fifth inning with a leadoff single from Palacio. Two batters later, Morse followed with a single before Bristin Bordeau closed the game with a strikeout of Frosbosilo.
Gemma D’Orazio had an outstanding performance in the tournament for the Pride, leading the team in batting average with .500 and hits with 4.
The Pride traveled south to Fairfax, Virginia, to compete in the George Mason tournament on Saturday, Feb. 21. Hofstra opened the tournament against Fairleigh Dickinson University. First pitch was scheduled for 10 a.m.
