In their first-ever NCAA college tournament game, the Hofstra Pride baseball team was defeated by the University of North Carolina (UNC) 15-4 in the first game of the Chapel Hill regional round on Friday, June 3. Despite keeping the game close early, the Tar Heels used their high-powered offense to run away with the game.

While Hofstra suffered a lopsided defeat, it did not reflect the entire game. The Pride jumped out to an early lead when catcher Kevin Bruggeman sent a home run over the left field wall to put Hofstra up one after the top half of the first inning.

After UNC sophomore Mac Horvath evened the score with a solo shot of his own in the bottom half of the inning, second baseman Santino Rosso put the Pride back on top of the second with what would be his first home run of the game. Rosso also sent a ball over the wall in the eighth inning, giving the junior his first two home run games in his college career. Rosso also added a double in the game. Rosso was asked about his approach after the contest.

“The first at-bat I was looking for a fastball that I could make sure I’m on time with it and try to barrel it and get on base, and luckily I barreled it up and the next at-bat I got a changeup, and I got on that one as well.”

In the bottom of the third inning, the Tar Heel offense came alive. UNC tallied four unanswered runs between the third and fifth inning to build a commanding 6-2 lead. Despite adding a run on a Michael Florides RBI single, UNC never let Hofstra even smell a comeback. The Tar Heels scored nine runs in the seventh and eighth inning, en route to a commanding 15-4 victory over the Pride.

Senior ace Brad Camarda started the game for the Pride but struggled to find success against the explosive UNC offense. Camarda threw 58 pitches in 4.1 innings and allowed six runs on eight hits with only two strikeouts before his day ended prematurely. Hofstra was also forced to empty their bullpen, needing to use six bullpen arms in order to get over the finish line.

The Tar Heels provided the toughest challenge for the Pride this season, and Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto spoke on what makes UNC so formidable.

 “There’s no breaks. One through nine, everyone can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Everyone’s a tough at-bat, whereas in league play, sometimes the seven, eight and nine hitters weren’t as difficult. They are a very well-coached team with no breaks in the lineup,” Catalanotto said.

The Pride now have their back against the wall and will play in a do-or-die game against the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs suffered an 8-1 loss to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on Friday. Georgia and Hofstra will square off on Saturday, June 4, at 1 p.m. in a game in which the loser will see their season come to an end.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics