The Hofstra Pride got some of their identity back after a three-run seventh inning gave the team a 4-3 win over the College of William & Mary (W&M) Tribe on Sunday, March 18, avoiding a series sweep.
“I thought Brad [Camarda] was outstanding, we really needed that,” said Hofstra head baseball coach Frank Catalanotto. “The last two days we’ve pitched really well and things are coming together. Hopefully, we can use this as a springboard and start playing some good baseball.”
Brad Camarda looked to right the ship in a 2023 campaign that hadn’t gotten off to the best start. Heading into the contest, his ERA sat at 16.87 across 10.2 innings of work. In his latest performance, he gave up three runs over 6.1 innings of work, including four strikeouts and two walks, and his ERA dropped to 12.18.
It was a pitching duel for the first two innings until (W&M) had a three-run third inning. A walk and a hit by pitch set up first and second for the Tribe with Ben Williamson at the dish. Williamson got his first hit of three as he knocked in Luca Danos from second with a single to left field. A double steal by Joe Delossantos and Williamson set up second and third with only one out. Shortly after, catcher Max Winters singled to right field, scoring both Delossantos and Williamson.
The score was 3-1 in favor of the Tribe headed into the bottom of the seventh where the Pride did their damage. With two outs in the inning, Anthony D’Onofrio pinch-hit for Matt Pelcher and tied the game with an RBI double off the right field wall, scoring Zach Bailey and Brian Morrell. Freshman sensation Dylan Palmer then gave Hofstra the lead after a single up the middle, scoring Frankie DiMartino, who pinch-ran for D’Onofrio.
“We were all pumped in there. It’s a big boost to the club and obviously gives us confidence that we have a chance to win the game, it was huge,” Catalanotto said. “That’s a really good team we just beat, they’re playing some good baseball. It definitely gives us confidence and makes us feel like we’re on the right track.”
The Pride improved to 2-4 in conference play and 6-12 overall as they look to take this momentum into a two-game set at West Virginia University, a Power Five squad, starting Tuesday, March 21. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Rob Cuni/Hofsra Athletics