The Hofstra University softball team defeated Stony Brook University 6-1 in the first game of their doubleheader on Saturday, April 18. The Pride have allowed one run in four of their last five matchups against the Seawolves. The Pride lead the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in conference victories with a 17-3 record.

Madison Steppe tallied her 11th victory of the season, tying her for most wins on the team, alongside Emma Falen, and ranking her fifth in the CAA in wins. She recorded her 10th complete game of the season and her third against Stony Brook, striking out three and allowing one earned run on 101 pitches.

Crimson Rice made her 13th start of the season and her first against the Pride. Through 5.0 innings, she allowed four earned runs on eight hits and struck out three batters. This marked the first time this season that Rice did not walk a batter in a start.

Following a scoreless first inning, the Pride scored two runs on two hits in the second inning. After a leadoff single from Chelsea Villar, Ryleigh Smith came up to the plate. On a 2-2 count, Smith launched a ball over the center field wall for her seventh home run of the season. Rice retired the next three batters: Mackenzie Fitzgerald grounded out, Nicole Cancel fouled out and Gemma D’Orazio struck out looking. 

The Pride tacked on another run to triple their lead in the third inning. Rice recorded two quick outs on six pitches, but a double by Dahlia Palacio and a single from Gabby Sultan made it a 3-0 ballgame. 

The Seawolves threatened to add runs on the board in the fourth inning. Rachael Brown led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout from Ashlyn Burgess. Steppe recovered to record the second out of the inning before placing runners on the corners after Karri Pritchard recorded a single. Elena Gonzalez struck out, surrendering runners on the corners. 

In the fifth inning, the Pride added another run on a sacrifice fly. Hofstra loaded the bases with one out as Sultan lifted a ball to right field, allowing D’Orazio to score from third. 

The Seawolves had no answer to Hofstra’s offense, as the Pride continued to score two outs. After Smith grounded out, Fitzgerald singled up the middle. D’Orazio cleared the bases with her fifth blast of the season. 

With three outs remaining, Steppe found herself in trouble as Stony Brook led off the inning with a home run. On a 1-2 pitch, Naiah Ackerman homered to left field to open the inning. June McGrath doubled and Malorie Hill walked to place runners on first and second with one out. Marissa Thalassinos popped up and Ella Hayes flew out to end the game.

The Pride continued game two of their doubleheader against Stony Brook University at 3 p.m. Falen got the start against Jayci Finch.