The Hofstra softball team rolled to the series win with a 11-3 run rule victory in six innings over UNC Wilmington on Saturday, April. 16. This game marked the most runs the Pride has scored in a single game this season, as their dominant play throughout gave Hofstra an important home win.
Meghan Giordano was at the forefront of Hofstra’s offensive assault, recording a team-leading three RBIs in the game. Giordano recorded two hits in three plate appearances for the Pride, including an RBI single that started the scoring for the Pride, as well as a two-RBI double in the 5th inning that gave the Pride a commanding 9-3 lead.
Catcher Devyn Losco recorded the other extra-base hit for the Pride. Losco recorded one hit in four at-bats. However, that hit was a two-RBI double. Kasey Collins, Angelina Ioppolo and Sam Ward also recorded an RBI.
While Hofstra dominated in the batter’s box, they also saw success on the mound. Nikki Mullin was the starter for the Pride and picked up her third win for the season. Mullin pitched five innings, allowing three runs and walking three. Despite recording no strikeouts, Mullin was still effective for the Pride and pitched five of the six innings. The other pitcher who received work for the Pride was sophomore Annabella Pisapia, who struck out one in her single shutout inning.
Hofstra first year softball coach Adrienne Clark gave Mullin much praise after her strong five-inning outing. “[Mullin] did such a phenomenal job all weekend,” Clark said. “She threw good pitches. She does a really good job of getting outs, and when we stay on attack defensively, we get the outs. She fields her position well and I think it was really cool to see her leadership come out.”
The game wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Pride. Entering the fifth inning, Hofstra was only ahead 4-3. However, an offensive explosion in the bottom of the fifth inning grew their lead to 10-3. From there, the Pride never looked back. Clark spoke positively on the team’s fifth-inning outburst. “It just shows their fight and commitment to each other,” she said. “They are working so hard on putting their foot on the gas and keeping it there, but yet staying within themselves and not going too fast where they don’t actually see the ball. So, they just took it one pitch at a time, one at-bat at a time, and good things happen when you do that.”
Taking a 10-3 lead going into the sixth inning, the Pride needed only one more run to seal a run rule victory over the Seahawks. Losco delivered the game-clinching run for the Pride on a double in the bottom of the sixth, sealing the deal for victory.
Hofstra is now 8-3 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play and 15-21 overall. Hofstra moves to second place in the CAA after taking a very crucial two out of three from UNC Wilmington, who are now 7-5 in CAA play and sit in third. The Pride will now have arguably their most important series of the season as they travel to the University of Delaware to take on the CAA leading Blue Hens this upcoming weekend.
Photo courtesy of Mike McLaughlin/Hofstra Athletics
