By David Gibb
Over the weekend, the Pride softball team sought warmer climates in Tampa to open their season at the Wilson Invitational. While the Pride did come back to Hempstead with two wins, things could have been sunnier in the sunshine state, as they fell to three different teams: Illinois, Arizona, and the University of Southern Florida.
The Wilson Invitational and 2009 season both started on a positive note for Hofstra when senior uber-ace Kayleigh Lotti pitched the team to a 4-1 victory against the University of Illinois last Friday on the USF Softball Field.
The bats came through late for the Pride in the season opener, with the game tied one-all going into the seventh inning. The only offense early in the game was junior first sacker Michele DePasqualeís solo home run, obviously her first, which she crushed in her premier at bat of the season. DePasquale feasted on the pitching of Illinoisí Monica Perry, collecting two hits before being lifted late for a pinch runner after reaching base to set up the go-ahead run.
Third base Sara Michalowski, catcher Carolann Lubach, left fielder Melissa Hodge, and designated hitter Joana Kralowetz all followed DePasqualeís suite with hits in the decisive seventh inning, as the Pride turned a close game into a comfortable victory to open their season.
The very next morning, however, a similar rally would fail to materialize for the Pride, who left 11 runners in scoring position against the very same Illinois team and were limited to only a single unearned run against Ashley Wright. Wright allowed 9 hits, but walked none and buckled down with runners on base to pitch 5.1 innings of 1-run softball for the win.
Hofstraís run-producing woes wasted a good effort by freshman pitcher Erin Wade (Taunton, MA), who went the distance, pitching seven innings and allowing only 5 hits and two runs in her debut for the Pride.
Later that afternoon, Kayleigh Lotti took the mound against Marshall and had a start that can be described only as Lotti-esque, striking out 9 and allowing no earned runs to pick up win number two on the year for both herself and the Pride.
Lotti would not fair quite as well Saturday night against 12th-ranked Arizona. In her third game in as many days, the Prideís ace lost the strike zone, walking seven in only three innings and surrendering six earned runs.
In their final game at the Wilson Invitational, the Pride fell again, this time to USF, the hosts of the tournament. Like Lottiís outing the night before, Erin Wadeís second start of the season lasted only three innings before being she was lifted. When the smoke cleared, USF had defeated Hofstra 9-4, and the women of the Pride softball team were sent home with a bittersweet taste in their mouths.
The team will have some time to reflect on their performance at the Wilson Invitational before they resume play. Their next game is not until they open their home schedule at 1:30PM on Friday, February 27th here at Hofstra.