The Hofstra Pride softball team split a home doubleheader on Friday, March 18, defeating Iona College by a score of 3-0 in the Pride’s homer-opener, before falling to Syracuse University, 6-0.
In game one, Devyn Losco singled out to left field in the second inning, driving home Angelina Ioppolo for the 1-0 lead. The Pride then scored on a fielder’s choice from Chelsea Manto, sending in Madison McKevitt for the score. Hofstra ended the inning with one more run after a walk sent Losco home for a 3-0 advantage.
Iona looked to get on the board in the third inning but struggled to gain any momentum. In the bottom of the third, Ioppolo led off with a single through the right side. That was followed by a walk putting McKevitt on base. With a player on second and third, Hofstra missed an opportunity to tack on to its lead.
With the Pride still up 3-0 going into the seventh inning, the Gaels had one last chance to put together a late rally. Iona stranded two runners, but the game ended with a foul ball hauled in by the catcher, sealing the victory. Annabella Pisapia had her first start of the season, striking out a career- best nine batters.
“Pisapia’s performance was so awesome,” said Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark., “She’s been working so hard and she’s really understanding what her strengths are, and staying on the attack, and she just did a phenomenal job locating the ball today.”
Against Syracuse, the Pride struggled to get anything going offensively. After two scoreless innings, Syracuse took a 1-0 lead in the third inning off a base hit to right field by Tessa Galipeau. Hofstra looked to tie things up in the bottom of the inning, but instead left one runner on base after a line out to third base.
Syracuse extended its lead in a big way during the fifth inning, scoring four more runs to go up 5-0. Kelly Breen homered for the Orange to bring in three runs. In the seventh inning, Syracuse added one more run to take a 6-0 lead. The Pride looked to avoid a shutout but could not execute, with Aliya Catanzarita striking out swinging to end the game.
“I thought we came out and competed well,” Clark said. “We’re playing some good competition. It was fun to see us put things together against Iona. If we clean up a couple of things against Syracuse and stay on the attack a little bit more, we’ll be just fine.”
Julia Apsel pitched 4.2 innings and struck out four batters. Nikki Mullin came in relief, pitching 2.1 innings. Gianna Iaquinto and Losco each had one hit in the defeat.
The Pride continues play at Bill Edwards Stadium on Sunday, March 20, concluding the Hofstra Invitational with another doubleheader against Syracuse and Iona.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
