The Hofstra University softball team lost their doubleheader against the University of Washington Huskies 10-0 and the Morgan State Bears 2-1 on Friday, Feb. 17, at the Cougar Softball Stadium in Houston, Texas, for the University of Houston Classic.
The Huskies had a dominant first inning, finishing it 8-0.
Julia Apsel started the game pitching for Hofstra and recorded a walk on the second batter, Olivia Johnson. This led to Johnson scoring the first run for the Huskies before Sami Reynolds hit a home run to center field with Kinsey Fiedler on third, giving the Huskies the 3-0 lead.
Brooke Nelson and Rylee Holtorf each hit a single, and Apsel recorded her second walk of the inning, loading the bases for Washington. Brooklyn Carter had a single from a bunt, keeping the bases loaded and allowing Nelson to get the fourth run of the inning. Baylee Klingler hit a grand slam to give the Huskies the 8-0 lead. Emma Brennan came in as the reliever for Apsel and made an immediate impact as she struck out Johnson to give the Pride a chance at bat. Ruby Meylan started on the mound for the Huskies and had a perfect start, striking out Chelsea Manto, Kasey Collins and Meghan Giordano with no hits.
At the top of the third, Carter scored the ninth run for the Huskies. At the bottom of the third, the Pride had two players on bases, but they could not get more as Meylan struck out three consecutive batters yet again.
At the top of the fifth and final inning, Jadelyn Allchin scored a homer for the Huskies to get their 10th run.
The Pride returned to the field later that afternoon to face the Bears in a much closer matchup between the two. Haley Venturini opened the pitching and only let up one hit at the top of the first inning, followed by striking out three consecutive batters. In the bottom of the first, the Pride scored their first run of the day via a Giordano solo homer to give Hofstra the 1-0 lead.
The Pride remained ahead until the fourth inning when Venturini recorded her second walk of the afternoon as Morgan State’s Mia Ewell took her base. Melissa Paz singled to left field, allowing Ewell to go to second. Madison Nunez bunted, giving Paz a chance to advance to third, and Ewell came home.
The two teams stayed tied through the standard seven innings, resulting in a 10-inning game where the Bears walked away with the win. Alison Keener was placed on second at the top of the 10th inning, and Maia Wilkins pinch-ran for Keener. Deborah Hamilton singled to right center and advanced to third on the throw, allowing Wilkins to get the winning run.
The Pride had one final chance to try and keep the game alive. Madison McKevitt was placed on second to begin the bottom of the 10th. Alanna Morse grounded out to the shortstop, leaving Hofstra with one less opportunity to capitalize. Kayla Wilson’s hit flew into a double play, marking the third out for the Pride. Hofstra dropped the game 2-1 against the Bears
The Pride returns to the field for another doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 18, to have a rematch with the University of Washington and end with the University of Houston Cougars at Cougar Softball Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Joe Buvid Photography
