Julia Apsel set a new career-high for strikeouts in a game, fanning 12 over seven innings as the Hofstra University softball team defeated Hampton University 6-1 in the series opener of their final Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) homestand on Friday, April 26. The Pride improved to 17-23 with a 13-9 record against conference opponents while the Lady Pirates dropped to 15-31 and 6-16.
In a series that holds a lot at stake, the Pride took care of business, as they need every win they can get to keep their postseason hopes alive.
“We are in control of our own destiny, and that’s something we talked about this week,” said Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark. “Continuing to put the focus on us, what we set out to do at the beginning of this year, and now it’s time to get it done.”
Apsel was fired up from the first pitch, striking all three batters in the top of the first and setting down the first five batters to face her via the K.
“She’s unmatched,” Clark said. “She’s really incredible. She continues to find ways to elevate her game to the highest of standards. I’m just lucky to be a part of it and support her through it.”
After a scoreless first inning, the Pride got to work on Hampton starter Taryn Bennett. A leadoff walk to Hofstra’s Kayla Wilson followed by a Hampton error allowed Alanna Morse to reach first, giving Hofstra an early scoring opportunity.
Bennett retired the next two batters before Chelsea Manto dropped a picture-perfect bunt to load the bases, setting the stage for Becca Vaillancourt.
Manto, who hits in the nine spot, has been the ultimate table-setter for the Pride. With an on-base percentage of .319, she’s stolen 17 bases and scored a team-high 21 runs this season.
“It’s so important, the role in the nine spot is so underappreciated and undervalued,” Clark said. “It’s such a game changer when you can get something out of the bottom of the order. Being able to get a runner on base with Becca up is really incredible.”
Vaillancourt came through for the Pride with two hits in the game, batting off pitches and working deep counts with each of her at-bats.
“She really squared the ball up well,” Clark said. “It’s just so exciting to see her lock in the way that she is and play the way that we know she can play. She is such a hard out, when she came up with bases loaded I thought, ‘This is perfect for us.’ I’m proud of the way she’s shown up, and the consistency in her approach.”
The perseverance paid off with a bases-clearing single into the right field gap to give Hofstra a 3-0 lead.
With Apsel on the mound, three runs ended up being more than enough support as Hofstra’s ace had another stellar outing. The senior was perfect through four frames, holding the Lady Pirates hitless through the first five innings en route to earning her 14th win of the season.
The Pride kept the momentum rolling in the third, stringing back-to-back hits and allowing Chelsea Villar to extend the Hofstra lead with a RBI single.
The lineup was putting the ball in play and applying constant pressure to Bennett who was pulled after allowing five straight hits. She left with a final stat line of two innings pitched, allowing five runs on six hits and walking one.
“I really love how we shrunk some of the strikeout numbers and going up there and being aggressive at hittable pitches,” Clark. said “Not overthinking it and staying within our approach. It was really good to see.”
The Pride looked to lock up their spot in the CAA tournament as they continued their series with the Lady Pirates on Saturday, April 27.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
