The Hofstra University softball team dropped the final game of their three-game series against the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 4-0 on Sunday, April 21. The Pride fell to 15-23 overall and 12-9 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). The Fightin’ Blue Hens improved to 33-9 overall and 18-3 in the CAA, increasing their conference lead by two games over second-place Campbell University.
Up 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Delaware tacked on three insurance runs to pad their lead. With one out in the inning, Lillie Scheivert singled down the left-field line. Morgan Hess helped herself out as she doubled down the left-field line to set up runners on second and third with one out for Katie Scheivert.
Katie Scheivert smoked a base-clearing double down the left-field line to increase the team’s lead to 3-0. Julia Boyet knocked in Katie Scheivert on an RBI single, as the Fightin’ Blue Hens took a commanding 4-0 lead.
After a no-hitter for game two, Hofstra recorded just three hits in game three. The Pride had one hit headed into the sixth inning and it was a leadoff double off the bat of Becca Vaillancourt to begin the game. Kayla Wilson singled in the same inning and then Nicole Cancel singled in the seventh. Three hits over the last 14 innings for Hofstra.
Julia Apsel entered the circle for the 12th-straight CAA game. Apsel’s day ended after five innings of work where she surrendered four runs, three of which were earned on six hits. She also struck out three batters in the loss as she fell to 13-10 on the season. Annabella Pisapia relieved Apsel in the sixth, tossing one no-hit inning and allowing one walk.
Hess pitched for the second consecutive game for Delaware and three-hit the Pride after tossing the program’s 17th no-hitter on Saturday, April 20. Hess tossed a complete-game shutout in this one as she fanned four.
Hofstra’s last two CAA series are against Hampton University, 6-15 in CAA, and the College of Charleston, 3-18 in CAA. Three spots remain as Delaware and Campbell both clinched CAA tournament berths on Saturday and Stony Brook University clinched on Sunday. The Pride are in sixth place, one game behind Elon University who are 13-8 and the University of North Carolina Wilmington who are 14-7. Drexel University is right behind Hofstra in seventh place with an 8-12 record.
The Pride are back in action for some midweek non-conference play against Fordham University on Wednesday, April 24. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. from Bill Edwards Stadium.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Matteo Bracco
