On Sunday Feb. 19th, the Hofstra Softball team lost on the road 9-7 against Morgan State University. The Pride are off to a rough start in their 2023 campaign as the loss is their fifth straight to begin the season.
The Pride started off hot, with a first inning double by Aliya Catanzarita gave them an early 2-0 lead. Morgan State starter Sarah Tuzinski struggled heavily in this one and was pulled during the top of the 1st inning. The Bears answered back as a couple of early base runners led to an RBI single from Madison Nunez, cutting the lead to 2-1. Hofstra, picking up right where they left off in the first, started things off with a solo shot from Chelsea Manto. They built upon the lead, adding another run later in the inning, pushing the lead to 4-1.
Once again, the Bears responded, as a two run home run by Asia Thomas, in the bottom of the 2nd inning shortened the lead back down to one. Hofstra, now up 4-3, continued their offensive onslaught by adding another two runs in the top of the third inning, extending their lead to 6-3. The Pride were then able to shut the door on the Bears as they held them to no runs in the bottom of the 3rd, keeping the score at 6-3 going into the 4th inning.
Hofstra added on another run in the top of the 4th, growing their lead to 7-3. Morgan State did not back down, quickly cutting the lead down to 7-5, highlighted by a single from shortstop Mia Ewell. It was a quiet 5th inning from both sides until the bottom of the 5th where Morgan State’s Victoria Fletcher hit the team’s second home run, which was a solo shot cutting the lead back down to one.
Fast forward to the bottom of the 6th, as Hofstra once again was unable to create anything offensively late in the game. Morgan State, now down 7-6, continued their rally putting up three runs to take a 9-7 lead with just one inning to go. The rally was sparked by a game tying RBI single from Ewell and a costly error later that inning by Hofstra. The Pride were unable to bounce back, losing the game by a final score of 9-7.
Hofstra’s next game will come against Lipscomb University, on Friday, Feb. 24, at 12:30 p.m. It will be the first game of the University of Georgia Classic, as the Pride will look to end their five game losing streak.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
