The Hofstra Pride and College of Charleston went head-to-head for the second half of their doubleheader Saturday afternoon at University Field. Steve Harrington’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth gave Hofstra a 7-6 win in a dramatic manner in game two. Hofstra has won the conference series for the second time in as many weekends, while Charleston won the first game 4-0.
Hofstra improved to 12-10 overall and 4-2 in CAA play with the win. The Cougars have a 16-12 overall record and a 4-2 conference record after the game.
The Pride came back from a pair of deficits to win the second game. Charleston led 3-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, but Hofstra rallied to a one-run lead, with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Anthony D’Onofrio singled in a run to start the scoring for the Pride, and Brian Morrell’s sacrifice fly made it a 3-2 contest. Then, with his third home run, Nick Marrero gave the Pride the lead with a two-run home shot to left field.
The Cougars reclaimed the lead in the seventh inning on a three-run home run by Trotter Harlan, but Hofstra responded in their half of the eighth with a two-run double by D’Onofrio to tie the game at six.
Entering the seventh inning as a pitcher for the Pride, Harrington remained in the game in left field, came up with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, and hit a 2-0 pitch from Cole Mathis over the fence in right-center for his fourth home run of the year and his second game-winning blast.
The top of the eighth was an immaculate inning for Michael O’ Hanlon, who struck out all three batters on just nine pitches. After pitching the final 2.2 innings in relief, Michael O’Hanlon (1-1) earned the win. He struck out four batters while allowing two runs. The Pride got huge days at the plate from D’Onofrio, batting 2-4 with 3 RBIs, Kevin Bruggeman, hitting 2-4 with 1 run and Zack Bailey also going 2-4 with 1 run.
Charleston’s Daniel Brooks (2-2) and William Privette (sixth save) combined for the shutout in the opener, allowing only six hits and two walks while striking out nine batters. Charleston scored on a single home run by Donald Hansis in the sixth inning and added an insurance run in the seventh and two more in the ninth.
After today’s win, Hofstra’s all-time record against The College of Charleston is now 10-17. The Pride is back in action on Tuesday, April 5, when they host LIU Brooklyn at 3 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle
