A shutout from Pride pitcher Brad Camarda led Hofstra University to a split doubleheader against Northeastern University on Sunday, May 8, at University Field. The Pride dropped the first game to the Huskies 6-2 but came back in the second to win 5-0. Hofstra moves to 22-21 overall and 12-9 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play.
Camarda was lights out for the Pride in game two, pitching all nine frames, allowing a mere five hits and striking out six of the 28 batters he faced. He got the win to advance to 6-1 on the season while throwing 112 pitches. Hofstra’s first-year head coach Frank Catalanatto had nothing but praise for his starter, crediting him for the win.
“What can you say about the job that Brad did for us? I mean we needed somebody to put the game on his back, and he came out throwing strikes to give us the chance to win,” said Catalanatto.
The Pride was effective at the plate as well in game two, scoring a combined five runs in the fifth and sixth innings. To kick off the fifth, designated hitter Nick Marrero singled through the right field gap. Zack Bailey laid down a sacrifice bunt to reach first that was mishandled by Northeastern’s catcher JP Olson, advancing Marrero to third. Shortstop Michael Florides flew out to center field to bring in Marrero. Bailey stole second and was brought in by a single from Anthony D’Onofrio, ending the frame 2-0 in favor of the Pride.
Hofstra continued to drive in runs during the sixth inning. Leftfielder Will Kennedy was walked, and right fielder Brian Morrell took a pitch off the elbow to put men on first and second base. Pride catcher Kevin Bruggeman singled up the mound and made it to second on a throwing error, as both Kennedy and Morrell scored on unearned runs. Then, Jake Liberatore laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Bruggeman to third. Marrero reached first on a fielding error from Northeastern’s Max Viera to bring in Bruggeman. The Pride closed out the inning, and the game, with a 5-0 score.
The first game of the day’s doubleheader was vastly different, as it quickly became a track meet for the Huskies, who scored five in the top of the first frame. Pride pitcher Chris Keenan struggled to control the ball early in the inning, walking both Jeff Costello and Spenser Smith before beaning Corey DiLoreto. Smith and DiLoreto would both advance to second and third base respectively on a wild pitch from Keenan. He then walked Luke Beckstein to load the bases. Huskies third-baseman Max Viera singled to third to bring in Smith. JP Olson singled up the middle to bring in DiLoreto and advanced to second on a wild pitch that brought home Beckstein. Leftfielder Luke Masiuk singled to right to score Viera, and Danny Crossen laid down a bunt to bring in Olson to end the frame.
Keenan allowed five runs over 3.1 innings, striking out three batters and slowing down the Huskies for the remainder of his playing time. He was ultimately subbed for reliever John Mikolaicyk, who held the Huskies to no hits and no runs in 3.2 innings. Keenan got the loss, moving him to 1-3, while Huskies righty Cam Schlittler knabbed the win to move to 4-7 on the year. Coach Catalanatto outlined what went on in the first.
“Especially in a seven-inning game, you can’t let up a five-spot, you’ve got to throw strikes, and he wasn’t throwing strikes early on,” Catalanatto said. “Hopefully we can get him back to throwing strikes, and he’ll be better next time he’s out there.”
The Pride looks for their next win as they take on Saint Peter’s University in a midweek game on Tuesday, May 10, at Joseph J. Jaroschak Field in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Photo Courtesy of Joe Browning/UNCW Athletics
