A six-run rally in the seventh inning propelled the Hofstra softball team against the Binghamton Bearcats by a final of 7-6 in Vestal, New York in the first game of the doubleheader.
The Bearcats threw the first punch, as Jessica Rutherford hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third. Hofstra would then get a run back in the fourth inning, on a RBI double by Megan Patierno.
Binghamton would add another run in the next inning, holding the 4-1 lead going into the seventh.
Then, Hofstra exploded with six straight hits and six runs to go up 7-4. After two singles, Kristin Hallam started the barrage with a two-run double to right center to cut the lead to one.
The next batter, Brielle Pietrafesa knocked a two-run home run to left to give the Pride the one run edge. Two straight doubles by Brittany Allocca and Nikki Michalowski would add another run. Later on, Sarah Edwards would hit a RBI single to cap the six-run inning. The Bearcats would make a run of their own, but would have the tying run thrown out at the plate by Kaitlyne Musa.
For the Pride, Freshman Sarah Cornell started the game, going four innings with four runs allowed and five hits. Alyssa Irons was brought in relief, pitching the final three innings and getting the win. She gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits, while improving her record to 4-7 on the season. As for Binghamton, Rayn Gibson also lasted the first four innings, allowing one run (none earned), and two hits. Shelby Donhauser came in relief and received the loss as she gave up the pride rally in the seventh. She pitched two innings, giving up five runs on six hits. She fell to 4-4 on the season.
For Hofstra, leadoff hitter Kristin Hallam finished with three hits and two runs batted in on the afternoon. She has hit in seven straight contests, and leads the team with a .346 average.
“She has every facet: She has the speed, she has the short game, she’s swinging away now, she’s keeping the defense off balance where they don’t know what to expect from her… If there is runners in scoring position where we need an RBI, she’s coming through,” said head coach Larissa Anderson.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Hofstra blew out the Binghamton Bearcats 9-0.
The Pride got out to the early 1-0 lead, as Megan Patierno doubled to straight-away center. The contest would remain that way until the fifth inning, when Kristin Hallam hit a two-run double to left field to make the game 3-0. Hofstra would then add another run in the next inning to make it 4-0 going into the seventh inning. In the doubleheader, Hofstra seems to love hitting in the seventh inning, as they added another five runs.
A three-run homerun by Nikki Michalowski would break the game open at 7-0 and a two-run Kaitlyne Musa single would make it 9-0.
Starting pitcher Alyssa Irons, who got the win in the first game of the series, would continue her stellar series performance. She went the distance, not allowing a run, giving up three hits and striking out four batters. With the win, she improved to 5-7 on the season. As for the Bearcats, starter Rozlyn Price received the loss, giving up four runs and six hits in five innings of work. She would fall to 6-9.
Kristin Hallam would continue her torrid stretch, going 2-for-2 with two runs batted in for the contest, and 5-for-6 in the two game series. Michalowski hit her third homerun of the season, improving her average to .267.
Hofstra finished with eight hits in the contest, and combined for 16 runs in the two games. They have been playing really well, winning nine in a row.
“It’s huge, we continue to talk about controlling our own destiny, and we have to keep taking care of what we can control… It’s great to see the team playing well and peaking at the right time”, Anderson said.
With the victory, Hofstra improved to 23-17 on the year, while Binghamton fell to 18-21. They will look to continue their solid play and winning ways when they travel to South Carolina to face the College of Charleston in a three game series. First game is on Saturday at 2 p.m.
