The Hofstra University softball team put on a masterful pitching performance to seal a 3-0 win in the series over the Monmouth University Hawks at home in Hempstead, New York, on Sunday, March 26.
“It was a win; that’s always nice,” said Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark. “I thought the team did a fantastic job coming back and working to make adjustments both offensively and defensively, plus on the mound. I thought collectively we did a much better job in game three.”
Haley Venturini spearheaded the pitching effort against Monmouth’s Billie Kerwood.
“I saw that she was a bit more effective today in some ways,” Clark said. “I think she threw some more competitive pitches, and she can keep hitters off balance with her off-speed. That was nice to see her come out and continue to be effective.”
In the first inning, Venturini made quick work of the first four in the Monmouth lineup, only letting up a double to Eve Serrato but preventing the team from cashing out beyond that. In the bottom half, however, the Pride struck first with a leadoff single to center field for Kasey Collins, setting up a towering home run blast by Meghan Giordano to center field for a 2-0 lead.
“I loved that she was on time for the ball,” Clark said. “She is a fantastic athlete and a phenomenal hitter. When she gets outside herself, it makes hitting a little bit harder for her, but she still gets the job done. And today she stayed within herself and hit that pitch and crushed it, which was nice.”
In the bottom half of the sixth inning, the action picked up again for Hofstra when Becca Vaillancourt drew a walk, setting up a single by Madison McKevitt that moved the runners over to second and first. A single from Alanna Morse went past the diving Bri Lawson and put another run aboard for the Pride, making the score 3-0.
In the last inning of play, the Hawks threatened the lead with a leadoff single by Francesca Torraca. Serrato ripped another single to left field, putting runners on first and second with one out. At this point, Annabella Pisapia, who came in relief for Venturini, shut down the next two batters and ended the game on a ground out to second to add the win for the Pride and a save to her record.
Venturini was credited with the win with 4.0 innings pitched and five strikeouts on the day, advancing the Pride’s conference record to 5-1 and 11-16 overall. For the Hawks, Kerwood attached the loss to her name with 5.2 innings pitched for Monmouth.
With a series win in hand, the Hofstra softball team will go up against the Army West Point Black Knights in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, March 29, with the first pitch set for 4 p.m. at home in Bill Edwards Stadium.
Photo courtesy of Rob Cuni/Hofstra Athletics
