The Hofstra Pride softball team completed a three-game sweep of the Stony Brook University (SBU) Seawolves with a 4-1 win on Sunday, March 19, at University Field in Stony Brook, NY. With the win, Hofstra advances to 8-13 on the season and 3-0 within Colonial Athletic Association play.
Hofstra starter Haley Venturini got into some trouble in the bottom of the first inning after the Seawolves had runners on first and second with one out thanks to a bunt single and a walk. She escaped narrowly, striking out the next two hitters to end the threat.
The Pride found themselves in the same exact situation at the plate in the top of the second, with two outs. However, Alanna Morse popped out to end the inning.
In the top of the third, Kasey Collins singled, and Meghan Giordano advanced her further to third base on a single of her own. That’s when Angelina Ioppolo recorded a sacrifice fly for the game’s first run.
The Pride tacked on a couple of more runs in the top of the sixth. Becca Vaillancourt and Brianna Morse led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Aliya Catanzarita then pinch-hit for Kayla Wilson and advanced the runners on a groundout. Next up was Alanna Morse who singled in both runners to put Hofstra up 3-0.
Stony Brook had a chance in the bottom of the sixth. Alicia Orosco led off with a single. Shauna Nuss then advanced her to second on a groundout. Venturini responded by striking out Julianna Sanzone, before hitting Corinne Badger with a pitch. That set up the stage for Ashley Jacobson. She popped out to end the inning, giving a sigh of relief for Venturini and the Pride.
SBU issued a pitching change, bringing in Mia Haynes. Collins greeted her with a single before moving to second on a groundout by Giordano. Ioppolo then grounded out to move her to third. That set things up for Vaillancourt, who singled her home to push the lead to 4-0.
Venturini was trusted to finish off the game for the Pride. She induced two groundouts to put Stony Brook down to their final out. However, Catherine Anne Kupinski homered to get the Seawolves on the board and cut the lead to 4-1. Sofia Chambers followed it up with a double, before Alicia Orosco singled, advancing Chambers to third. Suddenly, the Pride were in trouble as Alyssa Costello pinch-hit for Nuss, representing the tying run. She failed to capitalize, flying to the outfield to end the game.
In sum, Venturini allowed five hits, a run, a walk and struck out seven in her appearance. On the other side, Melaas allowed three runs on seven hits across six innings, while only striking out one. SBU reliever Haynes allowed one run on two hits in her inning of work.
Hofstra’s next game will be on the road. They will take on the University of Virginia on Tuesday, March 21, at 5 p.m. in Charlottesville, VA.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
