The Hofstra baseball team was unable to salvage the series finale of a four-game series against the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Eagles, as they were handed a 7-4 loss on Sunday, Feb. 19, at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. The Pride now sit at 0-4 to begin the season.
Hofstra fell behind early, as FCGU scored twice in the bottom of the first inning off Hofstra starter Brad Camarda. Despite Camarda pitching in and out of trouble, the Eagles were unable to get anything across over the next three innings and left six runners stranded on base.
Hofstra finally got on the board in the top of the fourth, thanks to a bases loaded walk from Zach Bailey, followed by a run-scoring single from Michael Florides, that tied up the game at two, while knocking FGCU starter Jacob Lojewski out of the game. The Pride then got another two runs off reliever William Haberstock thanks to a two-run single off the bat of Nick Marrero, which gave them a 4-2 lead.
The Eagles got right back into it in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a leadoff homer from Joe Kinker. Later that inning, Jake Mummau struck a two-out, run-scoring triple that tied the game at four, and ended Camarda’s day. He was charged with four runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out four across four and two thirds of an inning of work.
Despite not recording a single hit, FGCU was able to score three times in the bottom of the sixth due to control issues from Hofstra pitchers Steven Kaenzig and Michael O’Hanlon. Kaenzig walked three in the inning to load the bases before giving way to O’Hanlon with one out. O’Hanlon then allowed three runs to score on another walk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. All three of those runs were charged to Kaenzig.
After that inning, O’Hanlon and transfer pitcher Brian Hart did not allow another hit for the rest of the game. Despite that, Hofstra was unable to score as well. In the top of the seventh they had an opportunity to cash in, with two on base and two out, but Santino Rosso grounded out to end the frame.
In the top of the ninth, Jake Liberatore singled with one out, to give the Pride life. However, Will Kennedy grounded into a double play to end the game.
Haberstock got the win in relief for FGCU, as he struck out five, and held Hofstra to nothing other those two runs in the fourth. Connor O’Hara got the save after a scoreless ninth.
Despite not allowing a hit, Steven Kaenzig got the loss after allowing three runs on three walks in two thirds of an inning.
Hofstra will look to get their first win of the season as they open a three-game set against the University of Albany on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 2 PM. The game can be streamed on FloBaseball, and live stats will be available throughout the game at gohofstra.com.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
