A two-out rally in the seventh inning gave the Hofstra University softball team a 5-3 victory over Fairfield University on Tuesday, April 14. The Pride moved to 23-18 overall, while Fairfield fell to 18-19.

Madison Steppe continued her exceptional freshman season, pitching her ninth complete game. Steppe allowed two earned runs on five hits and struck out seven hitters on 116 pitches.

Alyssa Weinberg had a strong performance in the circle for Fairfield, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out nine hitters. 

Both pitchers worked a scoreless first inning, striking out two hitters. Weinberg struck out Dahlia Palacio and Chelsea Villar, while Steppe struck out Anna Paravati and Quinn McGonigle. 

Fairfield scored the first run of the game in the second inning on two hits. Sammie Dougherty and Danica Silvestri both faced two strike counts, but a walk to Dougherty and a single from Silvestri placed runners on first and second. Dougherty scored on an RBI fielder’s choice from Cara Kochakian. 

In the third inning, the Stags looked to score after placing a runner in scoring position. Ava Armuth was hit by a pitch and stole second for her 15th stolen base of the season. Steppe bounced back, forcing McGonigle to pop out, striking out Martina Gutierrez and surrendering a pop out to Dougherty.

Fairfield doubled their lead with one out in the fourth inning after a sacrifice fly from Sarah Bielski that scored Silvestri, who knocked a leadoff single and advanced to third after an error by Palacio.

In the fifth inning, the Pride cut the lead in half but left the bases loaded. The first two batters of the inning for Hofstra reached base. Nicole Cancel worked a walk on a full count and reached third on Gemma D’Orazio’s single to left field. With one out, Lily Yepez continued her impressive season with an RBI single. Weinberg escaped the inning, striking out Palacio and getting Villar to pop out.

The Pride staged a late comeback in the seventh inning, sealing the game and earning a victory against the Stags with a four-run frame. Yepez tripled and scored on Palacio’s 13th double of the season. The next three batters recorded RBIs – Ryleigh Smith singled, Villar scored on a wild pitch and Mackenzie Fitzgerald singled to center field.

Fairfield threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Steppe hit her second batter of the game to begin the inning and allowed an RBI double to Armuth. With two outs, Steppe escaped further trouble after Alivia Macaluso popped out to Alanna Morse.

The win was the seventh complete game of the season where Steppe recorded at least five strikeouts. 

Hofstra improved to 6-0 all-time against Fairfield and recorded their first win when trailing after six innings. 

The Pride traveled back to Long Island to face Stony Brook University on Friday, April 17. First pitch from University Field was scheduled for 3 p.m.