In the final game of non-conference play, the Hofstra Pride softball team defeated the Howard University Bison by a score of 4-1 at the Nationals Youth Academy in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, March 24, in what was the first meeting between the two programs. With the win, the Pride improves its record to 6-16 this season.

After no action in the first inning, Hofstra caught fire in the second and scored four runs. After an error by the Bison, Aliya Catanzarita came home for the 1-0 lead. Another error by Howard led the way for Amanda Maffucci and Devyn Losco to cross the plate. In the next at-bat Angelina Ioppolo doubled to left field, driving home Meghan Giordano to put the Pride up 4-0.

Both teams struggled to get on base in the following three innings, with the fourth inning the only one which saw the Pride and  Bison in position to score. In the sixth inning with the bases loaded, Hofstra missed on a golden opportunity to tack on to its lead. Howard got on the board in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI single by Lealani Ricks that cut the lead to 4-1. With two runners on base for the Bison, the Pride halted a potential rally in the inning as Haley Venturini came up with two clutch strikeouts in the circle.

After the Pride failed to add any insurance runs, going down with three quick at-bats in its half of the seventh, Howard began to mount a late-game comeback. The Bison were unsuccessful though,  as a double play sealed the victory on the road for Hofstra.

Venturini got the start for the Pride and tossed a complete game while striking out eight with only five hits allowed. It was Venturini’s sixth consecutive game with five or more strikeouts. With the win, the freshman improves to 3-5 so far this season, in what was her third-straight victory.

Hofstra kicks off Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 26, against Elon University. The doubleheader at Hunt Softball Park begins at 12 p.m.