By PJ Potter – STAFF WRITER
The Pride sailed past LIU Brooklyn on Wednesday, 10-5, in a shortened game due to a one hour lightning delay.
The game had to be called after seven and a half innings played since it was too dark out for any further action (University Field does not have lights).
Hofstra’s 6-9 hitters were the major factors of the game. They combined for seven of the eight runs batted in and eight of the team’s 12 hits. Brian MacDonald picked up two hits and is now on a six game hitting streak, going 13-for-25 over that span (.520). Ryan Donovan, Eric Ferguson, and Chris Hardardt finished out the lineup with two hits each as well.
12 of the 15 runs between both teams were scored in the first three innings.TheBlackbirds started off the game with a 2-run single from Bobby Webb in the 1st. Hofstra answered in the bottom half with one run when Mat Annunziata scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Dalton Rouleau. Annunziata went 2-for-5 for the Pride in the lead-off spot.
LIU Brooklyn plated two more in the next inning on a triple down the right field line by Tom Jakubowski. Ferguson and Hardardt fought back in the 2nd with RBI hits each.
Hofstra exploded for five runs in the 3rd inning. MacDonald began the rally with a triple to the right center field gap, scoring two runs. He has ten RBI in the last five games. Donovan then brought MacDonald home on a base hit up the middle and Hardardt once again notched an RBI hit to left field. Ferguson also scored, but on an error by Luis Rios.
In the 7th, Donovan launched home run number three of the season on a solo shot over the right field fence.
Cody Olsen won his first game of the year (1-1) in three innings of relief. He allowed no runs on two hits and one walk. Adam Heidenfelder started and was given the no decision, pitching the first three innings. He surrendered four runs, all earned, on six hits and three strikeouts. Adam Seibert threw the 7th and 8th inning without allowing an earned run, lowering his ERA to a team best 3.62.
For the Blackbirds (12-24), starter Rafael Guerrero received his second loss after allowing eight runs (seven earned) in 2.1 innings. Cory Hart pitched the remainder of the game for LIU Brooklyn and struck out five.
The first two hitters for the Blackbirds, Brian Lamboy and Charles Misiano, both went 2-for-3 on the day with two runs. Lamboy’s hits went for a double and a triple. Bobby Webb had two base hits and drove in two runs.
Brad Witkowski hit a double for Hofstra and has now reached base safely in 14 straight games.
Hofstra (15-22) ships up to Boston on Friday to face Northeastern in a three game CAA series.
