The Hofstra University softball team fell to the Drexel University Dragons, 6-1 on Saturday, March 16. Hofstra worsened to 5-12 overall and 3-2 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), while Drexel improved to 5-12 overall and 2-2 in the CAA.
The Dragons broke the game open with a two-run fourth inning. Jackie Masone ripped a triple in the left-center gap, scoring Izzy Alamillo from second base and extending the lead to 3-0. The fourth run of the ballgame for Drexel came off a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of Kalea Calugay.
While the final score didn’t show it, the game was closer than it looked. The Dragons stranded 11 runners on base and even though they were threatening to score almost every inning, the Pride managed to keep them at bay.
“I think we continue to remind [the team] to focus on the process,” said Hofstra softball head coach Adrienne Clark. “It’s a very long season. We play a lot of games and continuing to get them to make the adjustments within themselves and within the team is how we’re going to continue to move forward. I do believe that’s what’s going to help us continue to make the adjustments we need to make.”
The Pride collected seven hits as a team and walked eight times, but only had one run to show for it. Timely hitting has been Hofstra’s Achilles heel so far this season.
“[We will] continue to practice [timely hitting] in practice,” Clark said. “Continue to get them to understand the game. We just talked at the end about there’s a runner on third and there’s less than two outs; we’re looking for something deep. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a hit. It could be a sac fly or maybe a squeeze or a bunt. So just trying to be more dynamic at the plate in whatever way the game is giving us.”
Haley Venturini got her first start of the year but it only lasted an inning plus. Venturini allowed two runs on one hit, four walks and struck out one. Venturini is coming off an injury that ended her season a year ago and Clark is still trying to ramp her up to full speed.
“We’re making progress,” Clark said. “I know the results don’t show it but things that people day to day don’t see, she was very different out there today and that’s a positive note. So, we’re going to continue to focus on the areas of improvement while also acknowledging the progress being made.”
Chelsea Manto raised her batting average by 30 points in the win, as she had a three-for-four day at the plate, while also coming across to score the only run for the Pride.
The run came in the fifth inning, as Aliya Catanzarita hit an RBI single with the bases loaded.
Even though Drexel won the game, Clark believes there were some positives to take away from the loss.
“I thought we did a fantastic job managing the fact that they had 19 runners on base and the score was what it was,” Clark said. “So, I thought our defense did a really great job of getting outs from turning double plays and you know, kind of getting us out of some jams.”
This three-game series against the Dragons concluded on Sunday, March 17 at noon. The series is tied at one game apiece headed into the rubber match.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Matteo Bracco
