The Hofstra Pride softball team split a doubleheader on Friday, March 11, at the Retriever Round Robin. In its first outing, the Pride were defeated by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) by a score of 2-0, before beating Brown University 9-1 in game two.
In game one, both teams struggled to get anything going through the first three innings. UMBC got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with a home run to left center by Logan Hawker. The Pride looked to answer in the fifth inning as Chelsea Manto singled to center field, hoping to jolt some life into the Hofstra offense. Manto then successfully stole second, but Hofstra could not tie things up after two consecutive outs.
In the sixth inning, the Retrievers added one more run with another homer, this time by Anna Lonchar, making it 2-0. Hofstra had one last opportunity to get on the board in the seventh inning but was unsuccessful after striking out three times against UMBC pitcher Kya Matter to end the game.
Julia Apsel pitched 5.1 innings and struck out three batters while Manto led the way for the Pride with three hits. Meghan Giordano and Angelina Ioppolo each added one hit.
In game two, Brown took the early lead in the first inning, going up 1-0 after an RBI double to right center. Hofstra made two short stints at the plate in the bottom of the first, as well as in the second inning.
In the third inning, the Pride went on a tear, adding eight runs. To start off, Devyn Losco got on first base after a bunt to start the rally. Manto then singled to drive in Losco for the score, tying the game up at 1. Manto came home after a single by Giordano, and she later scored along with Kasey Collins after errors from the Brown defense, making the score 4-1 Hofstra. Madison McKevitt and Amanda Maffucci each had a base hit of their own, bringing in two more runs. Losco added one more hit sending McKevitt home. Maffucci later scored on a wild pitch to close out the inning, taking a commanding 8-1 lead.
Brown struggled to cut into the lead the rest of the game, with the Hofstra defense holding strong. In the bottom of the sixth, Giordano and Sam Ward led off with base hits through the left side. The Pride added one more run for good measure when Giordano was brought home on a fielder’s choice..
Haley Venturini got the start for Hofstra in the game, pitching all six innings and striking out four batters to earn her first career win on the mound.
The Pride will make its long-awaited return home to Bill Edwards Stadium for the Hofstra Invitational, starting on Friday, March 18, as they take on Iona College in a doubleheader.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
