With their first game of the season on University Field, the Hofstra University baseball team solidified their fifth win of the season in a 3-1 decision against the Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights (FDU) on Tuesday, March 12.
“It was a well-played game, but not much to get excited about offensively for either side,” said Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto. “I was happy with the way we pitched. Penn Sealey did a good job, as well as the rest of the pitching staff. Earlier in the game, I felt that we should have scored some runs, but for the most part, I’m pleased with the win.”
After spending their first 13 games on the road, Catalanotto expressed how it felt to be back on their home field for the first time in the 2024 season.
“It felt good,” Catalanotto said. “We’ve been away for a while, so it’s nice to get the opportunity to hit last and to be playing in a comfortable place. A place we’re familiar with, so we’re happy to be home.”
Hofstra pitching has been an issue so far this season, but against FDU, the Pride printed a solid performance from every pitcher on the mound. The offense struggled, but made use of the three hits they were given and cashed in three runs.
Sealey started his second game of the season for the Pride, allowing four hits and no runs in 4.2 innings of work while also striking out four batters. Although Sealey struggled in the first couple of innings, he pitched his way out of jams and gave the Hofstra offense time to answer. His ERA now stands at 7.45 on the season.
On the other side of the ball, Patrick Gardner opened the game for FDU but only survived 2.0 innings, allowing one hit and fanning three. Jason Diaz relieved Gardner in the third, at which point the game started to crumble for FDU.
Diaz could not pin down the strike zone and walked Mike Dorcean in the third. He then proceeded to throw two passed balls, placing Dorcean on third before also walking Dylan Palmer. With Santino Rosso at the plate, Palmer attempted to steal second, giving Dorcean the chance to make a break toward home plate. A good throw by the FDU infield caught Dorcean at home, preventing the Pride from scoring.
With Diaz still on the mound, Hofstra finally broke through in the fourth inning when Luke Masiuk advanced on two more passed balls, scoring on a fielder’s choice put into play by Matt Pelcher. Diaz was tagged with the loss with his effort in the game.
The next scoring efforts came in the seventh on a Palmer single and an Alex McCoy sac fly for some insurance and a 3-0 score.
Brian Hart came in as a middle reliever for Sealey and pitched 2.1 innings, holding FDU to no runs and earning the win in the game.
“I thought he was pounding the strike zone,” Catalanotto said. “He was throwing some good sliders and changeups, keeping them off balance. It’s nice to see that, because earlier in the season, he struggled with his command and confidence, so it was nice that he got back on the right track.”
The Knights broke through in the eighth as Brian Sanders grounded out to third base, allowing Hunter D’Amato to score and make it a 3-1 game.
However, Mike McKenna came to the mound, ended the eighth and came back out in the ninth, securing two strikeouts as he nailed the save and solidified the win at 3-1 for the Pride.
Although the Pride couldn’t score a run in the third, it’s part of Catalanotto’s game plan to up the ante on the basepaths.
“We wanted to make sure we were smarter on the bases this year,” Catalanotto said. “We want to steal more bases like we have been so far, and I think the guys are more prepared and aggressive on the bases this year.”
Hofstra’s win puts their record at 5-9 for the season while FDU continues to struggle at 2-12. After a couple of days off, the Pride will stick around Hempstead for their first home weekend series against the Manhattan College Jaspers starting on Friday, March 15. Michael O’Hanlon will get the ball for the first time as a starter at home.
Photo courtesy of Matteo Bracco
