The Hofstra University softball team wrapped up its stay in Tampa, Florida, at THE Spring Games on Sunday, March 6, in a one-off matchup against the Yale University Bulldogs. The Pride came into this contest on a two-game winning streak, while the Bulldogs were coming off a win of their own the previous day.
Both squads came into the day with four wins apiece, with Hofstra standing at 4-10 and Yale holding a 4-5 overall record. At the end of the day, Hofstra narrowly defeated Yale by a final score of 6-5.
Meghan Giordano was the story of the day for Hofstra with two home runs, including the game-winning two-shot homer in the top of the sixth inning. On three at-bats, Giordano was a perfect 3-3, adding 4 RBIs to her impressive stat line.
Nikki Mullin made her third start on the mound in the span of three days. Mullin improved her record to 3-4 on the season. Haley Venturini came in relief after only one inning pitched by Mullin and was solid in her showing, accumulating four strikeouts with five total hits given up through 4.1 innings. Julia Apsel got the save for the Pride: her first of the season.
The star of the day for Yale was Willa Ferrer. She not only homered but also led the Bulldogs with three RBIs. On the mound, Emma Taylor got the start and pitched two innings, recording two strikeouts and giving up two runs. Maddie Latta came in relief and threw for four innings with two strikeouts of her own. Nicole Conway entered in the final inning and recorded one strikeout.
The victory was not easy for the Pride, as Hofstra trailed early on, 2-1, as they went into the fourth inning. That is when Giordano once again excelled at-bat, hitting a double to left field that sent home Madison McKevitt while also advancing Olivia Malinowski to third base. Chelsea Manto broke the tie with a double down the left field line, scoring Malinowski and Giordano for a 4-2 lead.
The lead was short-lived, as the Bulldogs rallied with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ferrer’s single up the middle brought home two unearned runs from Ava Kang and Conway, putting Yale ahead 5-4.
Giordano was the savior for the Pride, as her two-run homer in the sixth inning gave Hofstra the slight one-point lead of 6-5. The Hofstra bullpen held strong in the bottom of the sixth, holding off any potential answers from the Bulldogs.
The Pride will now turn their attention to the long-awaited home opener at Bill Edwards Stadium on Saturday, March 11. Hofstra will look to extend its winning streak to five, as a doubleheader against Boston College awaits. The first pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. Both games will be available to watch on FloSoftball.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Stephen Galvin
