A six-run fifth-inning rally for the Hofstra University baseball team could not save the series from a sweep by the Elon University Phoenix on Sunday, April 14, resulting in an 11-6 loss.
With this series loss, Hofstra stays in second-to-last place amongst all Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) teams. Hofstra has yet to win a CAA series this season and is currently on a five-game losing streak.
Hofstra put Steven Kaenzig on the mound against Elon’s Ryan Sprock to salvage the series’ last game. The two pitchers traded blow for blow until Elon scored in the fourth inning.
Catcher Alex Duffey chipped a single toward right field to bring a run in followed by a wild pitch putting Elon up 2-0. Before things got out of hand, Coach Catalanotto gave a call to the bullpen, bringing in Danny Kelleher to relieve Kaenzig.
Kaenzig finished the day with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched while surrendering four runs off three hits.
The Phoenix blew the game open as centerfielder Vince Fattore clobbered a three-run home run putting a five spot in the fourth for Elon off Danny Kelleher.
Down 5-0, the Pride answered with a big fifth inning. Mike Dorcean got the rally going with a single, scoring Luke Masiuk. It was followed by two more singles from Michael Florides and Santino Rosso to cut the lead down to 5-4. With runners in scoring position, Will Kennedy hit a line drive to first base allowing for a fielder’s choice tying the game at five.
Steve Harrington capped the fifth inning with a sac fly letting Rosso score to take a 6-5 lead over Elon with a huge six-run inning.
In the middle of the inning, Elon took out Ryan Sprock who finished the day allowing five runs off seven hits with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched.
In the bottom frame, the Phoenix wasted no time tying the game on a Trey Tiffan sac fly 6-6. Hofstra’s defense started to crumble with a passed ball allowing Elon to gain the lead once again 7-6. Leadoff hitter Kenny Mallory Jr. opened the floodgates with a base-clearing double, extending their lead to 9-6. The fifth inning saw the teams score a combined 10 runs.
Duffey put the cherry on top, adding an insurance run with a two-run single pieced up the middle capping their scoring at 11-6 in the eighth.
Christo Garrelts came in for the save clocking in two innings of work. He nailed down the series win for Elon with a Dylan Palmer groundout.
Palmer was the only Pride player to have two hits across the game. Rosso joined him as the only player to have two RBIs.
On the road, Hofstra has a 5-16 record compared to their 6-6 home record. When looking at the splits, if the Pride wants to get a CAA series win this season their chances are better off at home.
Hofstra has two more games on the road this week against Fairfield University on Tuesday, April 16, and Marist College on Wednesday, April 17. Their next CAA series will take place at home next weekend against association newcomer, the Campbell University Fighting Camels.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Katherine Martin
