Coming off of a nine-game losing streak to start the season, the Hofstra Softball team was able to pick up their first win of the season on the road against Louisville on Friday, March, 4, with a final score of 2-1. This was game one of a two-game set as they suffered a loss to Western Michigan directly after.

Sophomore pitcher Julia Apsel took the mound for the Pride to start the game. Apsel has put together an extremely solid season thus far, highlighted by a 2.25 ERA and 22 strikeouts. Both teams were quiet in the first as the Pride went down in order and Louisville doing more or less the same, with DH Taylor Roby knocking in the game’s first hit as she singled to right.

The second was similar, as both Apsel and Louisville pitcher Gabby Holloway were dealing to start the game. In the bottom of the third, Louisville’s Vanessa Miller tripled and later scored to give her team their first and only run of the game, giving the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead.

Hofstra scored two runs in the top of the fourth to take their first lead of the game. The inning was highlighted by a double by left fielder Madison McKevitt, which scored the first run. Followed by a single from first baseman Angelina Ioppolo drove in the go-ahead run. From that point forward, Apsel locked in. Allowing just three hits and no runs, leading Hofstra to their first win of the year.

In game two of the double header the Pride faced off against Western Michigan, with freshman Haley Venturini on the mound. Western Michigan struck first in the bottom of the first. Third baseman Alyssa Kramer singled to center, driving in the game’s first run. The Pride’s offense was non-existent in this one, as they recorded three hits with no runs. 

Their offensive struggles have directly caused their 1-10 record so far this season. Hofstra was shut down by Western Michigan pitcher Reily Galloway, who finished the game with a complete game shutout, adding 12 strikeouts to complete a very strong performance.

In the bottom of the sixth, however, is when Western Michigan broke the game open. scoring three runs on two hits and an error. Pinch hitter Darcy Barkauskas came through in a big way with a two-RBI double to seal the game. Western Michigan’s Galloway finished the Pride off, resulting in a 4-0 loss.

The Pride now rest at an underwhelming 1-10 on the season. They hope they can use the win today to bolster some confidence and find themselves offensively. The team has another double header tomorrow as they face Western Michigan in a rematch from today, and Illinois following the first game.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics