The Hofstra softball team had its chance to win its series against the University of Delaware Blue Hens on Sunday, after splitting the previous day’s doubleheader, but came up short in an 8-6 loss at Delaware Softball Stadium.
Now at 16-23 overall, Hofstra posts a 9-5 record against the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Delaware scored the first runs of the game in the bottom of the second off of a Chloe Blantz single that brought in Morgan Olynyk and Julz Garber.
Delaware extended its lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, putting up another three runs. Brooke Glanden hit a double to left-centerfield, allowing for Hanna Garber to score. Grace Rudolph, who pinch ran for Glanden, and Halle Kisamore later touched home following a pair of walks.
Hofstra stopped the bleeding when third baseman Sam Ward threw out Delaware’s Brittney Mendoza at home to get the Pride of the inning.
After being held scoreless through the first five innings of play, Hofstra began to mount a comeback in the sixth. Chelsea Manto started out the inning strong with a triple to left-centerfield, and she later scored on a wild pitch to give Hofstra its first run of the game.
Hofstra continued to get on base as Meghan Giordano doubled to right-centerfield. Angelina Ioppolo then followed after being hit by a pitch. Giordano scored on a double to right-center hit by Ward, making it a 5-2 ball game
Kayla Wilson, who pinch ran for Sam Ward, then scored on a single hit by Madison McKevitt. A pop-up to centerfield ended the top of the sixth inning, leaving Hofstra two runs behind Delaware with the score sitting at 6-4.
In the bottom of the sixth, Delaware put up another three runs, capitalizing off Hofstra’s errors. Although, it was another swift defensive play for the Pride that limited the damage.
In the top of the seventh inning, Hofstra continued to put up runs. Two runs crossed the plate on a wild pitch and a throwing error made by Delaware catcher, Kissamore The third run was scored after Ioppolo hit a ground ball to second, allowing Losco, who was on third to score.
Even with Hofstra putting up six runs in the final two innings, it was not enough to combat the strong lead that the Blue Hens had established earlier in the game.
The Pride’s next game is set for April 28 in a The Battle of Long Island at Stony Brook University. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Photo Courtsey of Hofstra Athletics
