A sacrifice fly from first baseman Steve Harrington saved Hofstra’s Colonial Athletic Association Championship bid in a 5-4 victory over the Elon University Phoenix on Wednesday, May 25, at Latham Park. The Pride surrendered a three-run lead in the eighth inning, but Harrington once again drove in the winning run in the final at-bat of the game to secure Hofstra’s seventh walk off victory this season. The win was Hofstra’s first in the CAA tournament since 2012.
The Pride’s bats came alive early as they scored four runs in the top of the second. Designated hitter Jake Liberatore singled to center field and advanced to third on a double from third baseman Ryan Morash. Shortstop Michael Florides was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Anthony D’Onofrio, who drew a walk to bring in Liberatore. Left fielder Will Kennedy then singled through the right side, scoring Morash and Florides and advancing D’Onofrio to third. Right-fielder Brian Morrell capped off the inning with an RBI single that scored D’Onofrio and gave Hofstra a lead 4-0.
In the meantime, Pride starting pitcher Brad Camarda had no trouble dispatching the Phoenix’s attack. The first team all-CAA selection continued his dominance on the hill from the regular season by allowing just four hits over seven innings, striking out seven of the 26 batters faced. Camarda allowed one run during his outing, a solo home run from Elon’s designated hitter Luke Stephenson. Camarda exited the game in the top of eighth, making way for reliever Michael O’Hanlon looking to protect Hofstra’s 4-1 lead.
O’Hanlon had a tough time on the mound, allowing three runs in top of the eighth. Elon third baseman Connor Coolahan got to O’Hanlon early with a single to left-field and was followed by a walk from center-fielder Alex Iadisernia. With runners on first and second, Stephenson doubled down the left-field line, scoring both Coolahan and Iadisernia. First baseman Cole Reynolds then singled up the middle to bring in Stephenson, tying the game 4-4. O’Hanlon was pulled in favor of reliever Aljo Sujak who shut down the Phoenix offense for the rest of the game. Despite surrendering the lead late in the game, Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto’s confidence in his team never wavered.
“We were still upbeat,” Catalanotto said. “We know we have a potent offense that can score runs in bunches and we have only needed one.”
The Pride clawed back in the bottom of the ninth. D’Onofrio kicked off the inning with an infield single to third and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Kennedy grounded out to third, advancing D’Onofrio to third. Zack Bailey came into the game as a pinch hitter for Frankie Dimartino and was intentionally walked, along with catcher Kevin Bruggeman as Elon opted to load the bases with one out in the inning. Harrington ended the game by hitting a deep pop fly into left field, which scored D’Onofrio to close out the game.
“I am glad they haven’t figured out yet [not to pitch to Harrington in those moments],” Catalanotto said. “I was glad to have him up in that spot, and I was surprised they walked the two batters to get to him.”
The Pride will continue their pursuit of the CAA crown when they take on the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks on Thursday, May 26. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle
