The Hofstra University softball team’s season came to an end on Friday, May 10, after a 1-0 loss to the Campbell University Fighting Camels in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) championships. The Pride finished their 2024 campaign with an overall record of 23-26 and a conference record of 17-10.
In the bottom of the ninth, Alyssa Henault worked a one-out walk for the Fighting Camels. Tyra Parker reached first base safely on an unassisted fielder’s choice by the Pride’s Nicole Cancel at second base. After Parker swiped second, Delaney McDilda hit a walk-off single to right field to advance to the next round. Campbell will play the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, and the winner will play UNC-Wilmington in the championship game.
The Pride had their work cut out for them in the two-game elimination tournament. They had their backs against the wall early with their loss to Stony Brook University on Wednesday, May 8. They managed to beat Elon University later that day, facing Stony Brook again on Thursday, May 9, but ultimately fell short on Friday.
Good pitching and defense were the highlights of this contest. CAA Pitcher of the Year Isabella Smith tossed a complete game shutout and struck out 10 Pride batters. She stranded 12 runners on base throughout nine innings.
The undisputed ace of Hofstra, Julia Apsel, surrendered just one run in 8.2 innings of work and struck out three. Apsel also stranded 11 Fighting Camels on base.
Olivia Malinowski and Apsel were named All-CAA Second Team honors, while Becca Vaillancourt made the All-CAA First Team.
With Vaillancourt, Chelsea Manto and Aliya Catanzarita departing this year, the 2025 team will look a little different. Apsel has another year of eligibility and will be using it to stay with the Pride.
Hofstra enters an important offseason after multiple freshmen earned reps this past season, filling the gaps that are being left by the players who are departing. Some replacements are already rostered, but some may be incoming freshmen or players from the transfer portal.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Doug Neeb
