The Hofstra University baseball team concluded their 2026 home slate with an unsuccessful rally against Monmouth University on Sunday, May 10. Down 8-0 after three innings, Hofstra pulled off a nine-run fourth inning, but the team’s pitching staff struggled to prevent multi-run innings, which ultimately led to an 18-10 final score in favor of Monmouth.
With the loss, the Pride fell to 18-26 overall and 12-15 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play. The Hawks improved to 27-20 on the season and 18-9 in CAA play.
Nick Reese went 12 total innings in his last two Sunday starts; however, Reese appeared as a different pitcher on the mound for the Pride in the team’s home finale, only going 2.1 innings. In his abbreviated start, Reese allowed five runs – three more than in his past two starts combined – on four hits.
Following a hitless opening inning, Reese’s struggles began to show in the second inning. With two outs and runners on the corners, Reese issued a balk that sent Jimmy Bruno to score the Hawks’ first run of the game. After a mound visit, Reese gave up an RBI double to Colin Richter, but the batter was ruled out at third base attempting to stretch a double to a triple.
The next inning, Reese dealt a two-run home run to Simmi Whitehill and walked Brendan Buecker. Reese’s day ended, and Jackson Bauer came in relief. After giving up a single to his first batter, Bauer gave up his own multi-run home run, a three-run shot to deep left field from Nick Lovarco.
After Bauer gave up an RBI double in the top of the fourth, the Pride recognized that it was time to attack in the bottom of the frame. Gabriel Melara walked to open the inning, and Tyler Cox ripped a two-run monster shot to deep center field. Nick Biddle – playing left field for the first time in his Hofstra career – hit an infield single and Tyler Castrataro walked. Daniel Escalante drove both baserunners in on a no-out double, ending Monmouth starter Brendan Kenneally’s appearance.
Monmouth forced Hofstra’s first out of the fourth when Michael Brown grounded out, but Escalante still scored on the play. A throwing error from Whitehill gave the Pride another run, with Danny Corona reaching home plate. With bases loaded and two outs, Biddle forced a run on a walk to put the Pride within one run of the Hawks’ lead. Hofstra took a short lead when Castrataro placed a single up the middle of the field, driving in two runs.
Hofstra lost their lead in the next inning, when Hofstra’s new pitcher, Chris Bedford, gave up a two-run double to RJ Mustaro. Tanner Sanderoff relieved Bedford’s no-out appearance but followed by giving up a pair of runs to Monmouth.
The Pride retained a one-run deficit in the bottom of the sixth, when a first-pitch single from Brown drove in a run to set the score 12-11 in favor of Monmouth.
Within the next three innings, three more arms appeared on the mound for the Pride: Deuce Musial, Russell Hunter and Sean Hamilton, the latter two each giving up a pair of runs.
In a pregame ceremony, Hofstra honored its seven graduating seniors: Corona, Cox, JJ DeVito, Bauer, Hunter, Michael Heyman and Carlos Martinez.
The Pride took a break from CAA play as they traveled to Fordham University. First pitch was set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12. Following the midweek non-conference game, Hofstra will travel to play Stony Brook University. A spot in the CAA tournament is still in reach and dependent on Hofstra’s final Rating Percentage Index ranking.
