CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) play made its way to Bill Edwards Stadium for the first time this season on Friday, March 24, where the Hofstra Pride softball team split an afternoon doubleheader with the Monmouth University Hawks in their first home conference series of the year.
The first game saw Monmouth defeat the Pride 9-2 after jumping out to a commanding early lead, while Hofstra fended off a late rally in the second matchup to earn a 6-5 victory. The Pride’s record moved to 9-16 on the season with a 4-1 mark in CAA play, while Monmouth ended the day with a 4-17 overall record on the season.
After being no-hit in their previous game against Lehigh, Monmouth wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard in their first matchup with the Pride, going up 2-0 in the first inning courtesy of an RBI triple from Mackenzie Bloss. The freshman outfielder was undoubtedly the star of the day for Monmouth, going 4-for-8 with two doubles and a triple across the doubleheader. The Hawks would later break the game open with a six-run fifth inning, capped off by a pinch-hit grand slam from sophomore infielder Emily Spencer; the first home run of her career. Offensively, Hofstra managed just five hits in the contest as Monmouth ace Billie Kerwood twirled her third complete game of the season.
“Overall, I think we just came out a little lackadaisical in game one,” said Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark. “We just weren’t playing with a ton of intent.”
Game two was Hofstra’s turn to jump on the scoreboard early, as Brianna Morse put the Pride up 1-0 in the opening inning with an RBI single. The junior would later pad Hofstra’s lead with a three-run homer in the fifth inning, putting the Pride up 4-1.
“We talked a lot in between games, and the second game was all about being on time and working to see the ball deeper,” said Clarke. “I think we did a better job of adjusting in the second game.”
In the circle, junior lefthander Julia Apsel had one of her best outings of the season in game two, giving up one earned run across 5.2 innings of work and allowing eight hits.
“Today, Julia was much more in control,” Clarke said of her starter. “Julia’s ball moves a ton … and she did a great job utilizing her off-speed pitches.”
Annabella Pisapia was then called on from the bullpen to protect a one-run lead and came away with the win after picking up the final four outs of the game.
Due to a scheduling switch, the Pride will have a day off on Saturday before facing Monmouth in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at Bill Edwards Stadium. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m., and the game can be streamed on FloSports.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Rob Cuni
