By Staff Report
While at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Georgia, the softball team was on top of their game, wrapping up the series on Sunday with a 4-1 record.
“We made some pressure situations to our advantage,” said head coach Bill Edwards. “We really came out and played very consistent.”
Saturday was the busiest day for the Pride, with a doubleheader against Kent State and Florida. The Kent State game, lacking in offense through the first six innings, ended in an exciting fashion with a seventh inning solo homerun from junior third baseman Sara Michalowski. Sophomore pitcher Erin Wade held Kent State scoreless, who improved her record to 3-0 with the win.
Later that day, the Pride took on its biggest test of the season thus far when it faced No. 22 Florida State. The girls from the Sunshine State handed a tired Hofstra squad their sole loss of the season, a 0-8 defeat. Freshman pitcher Olivia Galati was given the challenge of facing Florida State on the mound. Galati received no offensive support and struggled defensively on the mound. Despite the loss, Galati has settled in nicely, with a 4-1 record since joining the Pride this season.
Edwards has been happy with Wade and Galati so far. “Very, very impressed with their ability to throw under pressure,” Edwards said.
The Pride wrapped up its trip to Georgia with a 6-4 win on Sunday over Mississippi Valley State. Kris Root highlighted the victory with her thirty-ninth career stolen base, which moved her into a tie for fifth on the Pride’s career list.
“We did not play great in every aspect of the game, but when the game was on the line we made the big play,” Edwards said of the weekend.
The Pride is off for another week until March 13, when it heads to Kentucky for the Louisville Invitational.