The Hofstra Pride softball team dropped a non-conference bout against Fordham University on Wednesday, April 13, at Bill Edwards Stadium, losing 3-2 in close fashion. The Pride slipped to 13-20 overall on the season with the loss, while Fordham improved to 18-15 overall.
“I thought we battled, and I thought we fought,” said Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark. “I thought we had opportunities to win it, so can’t be upset about that.”
Hofstra’s Chelsea Manto began the bottom of the first inning with a single to third base, her fifteenth-straight game of successfully reaching base, before eventually advancing to second base after a sacrifice bunt by Kasey Collins. After a walk by Meghan Giordano, an error by Fordham helped Hofstra take an early 1-0 lead. On the next at-bat, Sam Ward drove home Giordano off a sacrifice fly out to center field, going ahead 2-0.
“It’s always fun with Chelsea [Manto] because she kind of just stirs the pot, she gets things going, and she does such a good job of doing it,” Clark said. “Everyone else [is] just taking it one at-bat at a time, [and] it was cool to see us take advantage of a mistake that they made and capitalize on it, and I thought that they did a good job.”
After a groundout to start the second inning, Fordham cut the deficit to one with a home run to right field by Amanda Carey. After the Pride was held scoreless in their frame, Fordham tied the game up at two off a single by Bailey Enoch. The Rams added another run in the third inning to go up 3-2.
Hofstra struggled to build any momentum in the following innings, placing only two batters, Collins and Manto, on base through the sixth inning. Fordham failed to extend its lead, though, leaving the door open for the Pride.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Aliya Catanzarita started off a potential rally with a single to center field. Gianna Iaquinto advanced to second base off a wild pitch, before Kayla Wilson walked to first base. Searching for a change of pace, Fordham’s Makenzie McGrath came on in relief, poised to hold off the Pride.
McGrath’s presence was felt in no time, striking out Abby Meehan while swinging. With two outs and bases loaded, Giordano came to the plate looking to keep the game alive. Giordano nailed a hit to second base but was caught on the run by Allie Clark, wrapping up the victory for the Rams.
Haley Venturini got the start on the mound for the Pride, pitching 2.1 innings and striking out three batters. Annabella Pisapia came on to throw 4.2 innings, while also retiring three batters and only allowing three hits. Meanwhile, four players recorded a hit for the Pride.
“[Pisapia’s] awesome, she has a lot of tools in her toolbox, and she just did a great job of throwing her game, and when she throws her game it’s very difficult to be on time,” Clark said.
Hofstra returns to conference action at home on Friday, April 15, taking on UNC-Wilmington in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Chronicle
