The Hofstra softball team was defeated 4-3 by Drexel University during Senior Day on Sunday, May 1, at Bill Edwards Stadium.
Drexel’s Jessica Schable pitched the complete seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits and picking up three strikeouts. After a two-run push in the fourth, Schable shut the door on the Pride, not allowing a hit in the last three innings.
“It can be difficult when pitchers are working around the zone or mixing up their stuff in addition to the zone being not always consistent,” said Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark. “It makes it harder to hit, but I thought we definitely had some bright spots where people were working to be in control of the at-bat for themselves. And when they did that, good things happened.”
Ahead 1-0 on a Meghan Giordano RBI single, Hofstra starter Nikki Mullin found herself in trouble in the top of the third. After a single, a fielder’s choice that resulted in no outs and a walk loaded the bases, Annabella Pisapia relieved Mullin to try and get out of the jam. Pisapia walked her first batter on four pitches and then gave up three consecutive singles to Mia Garza, Ashley Errico and Megan Trivelpiece, which quickly gave Drexel a 4-1 lead.
Hofstra attempted a comeback in the bottom of the fourth as a double to deep right field from senior Devyn Losco scored pinch hitter Kayla Wilson all the way from first base. Losco advanced to third on the throw to home, which proved to be vital as Chelsea Manto hit an infield single that Losco came home on bringing the score to 4-3 in what ultimately became the final hit for the Pride.
Bullpen pitcher Haley Venturini put in five innings of work while allowing only one hit and achieving an inning ending double play with the bases loaded that got the Pride out of that tough third inning.
“I think it was so cool to just see her stay on the attack and be in control,” Clark said. “When she does that and when she pitches that way, she’s honestly incredibly difficult to hit against. And to have her come in and field her position as well as she did speaks volumes to being able to shut down, bases loaded, no outs and come out of it with a double play.”
Schable improved her season record to 4-2 while Mullin fell to 5-5 in her first loss since the end of March.
The defeat drops the already-clinched Pride’s Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) record to 11-6 as they now sit in third place with one CAA series against Towson remaining. But before that, they will have to play one game against Long Island University Tuesday evening, May 3, at Bill Edwards Stadium.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
