The Hofstra Pride softball team swept James Madison University on Saturday, April 9, winning both games of a doubleheader at Veterans Memorial Park, both in extra innings. The Pride improved to 13-18 overall record with a 6-1 record in conference play.
In game one, James Madison got out to an early start, scoring two runs in the second inning off a homer by Emily Phillips. After a scoreless third inning, Hofstra’s Meghan Giordano drilled a home run down the left field line to trail 2-1. In the next at-bat, Angelina Ioppolo got on base with a bunt before Sam Ward doubled to center field. An RBI single by Madison McKevitt drove in Ioppolo to tie the game at two.
In the bottom half of the fourth, James Madison retook the lead with a single through the left side to bring in a run and make the score 3-2. Hofstra began its response in the fifth inning with a single by Chelsea Manto right off the bat. After a walk by Kasey Collins, both she and Manto advanced on a wild pitch, leaving Manto at third base and Collins at second. A reach on a passed ball sent Collins home to level the score at three.
It took extra innings to declare a winner with the game deadlocked going into a ninth inning. The Pride started off strong with a single by Manto, who then advanced to second base on a fielder’s choice. On the next at-bat, Giordano nailed a single up the middle, driving in Manto to take a 4-3 lead. James Madison was unsuccessful in extending or winning the game, with three quick outs giving Hofstra the victory.
Nikki Mullin got the start with 3.2 innings pitched, striking out three batters. Julia Apsel came in relief pitching 5.1 innings and giving up zero runs. Manto and Giordano led the way with two hits each.
James Madison started game 2 just as it did game 1, by taking the early lead with two runs in the first inning. It took until the fourth inning for the Pride to get on the board, with Giordano pulling out another home run to cut the game to 2-1. Hofstra looked to continue its rally in the fifth inning but struggled to gain any more momentum.
In the bottom of the fifth, James Madison extended its lead to go up 4-1 off two home runs by Hannah Shifflett and Jasmine Hall. The Dukes were not done scoring, though, with Hallie Hall crossing home plate after a hit by pitch, going in front 5-1. Hofstra answered with two runs in the sixth inning, the first being off a double to left field by Ward and the second on a throwing error to cut the deficit to 5-3.
The Pride tied the game in the seventh inning, with a single from Ioppolo that brought home Devyn Losco and Collins. With both teams knotted up at five, it was round two of extra innings action. After a walk by Giordano, the bases were loaded with Ioppolo coming to the plate. With a reach on a fielder’s choice, Collins dove home on a throwing error to give Hofstra its first lead of the game, 6-5.
James Madison had one more opportunity but fell short, as a groundout to Apsel in the circle sealed the sweep for the Pride.
Annabella Pisapia started on the mound with four innings pitched and four strikeouts. Apsel came in relief for the second time with another dominant performance, throwing 4.2 innings and striking out six batters with no hits allowed.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
