The Hofstra Pride softball team ended its stay at the Unconquered Invitational with a 6-0 loss against the Indiana University Hoosiers on Sunday, Feb. 27.
Both teams struggled to get any offense going, as both quickly got three outs to end the first inning. Hofstra managed to get one player on base with a hit to shortstop from Kasey Collins. The top of the second inning was a different story, as the Hoosiers started off strong with a triple toward rightfield. A single down the rightfield line helped give Indiana the 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, Indiana’s Cora Bassett homered to center field, extending the Hoosiers’ lead 2-0. The Pride remained scoreless in the bottom of the third, as pitcher Julia Apsel quickly returned to the mound for Hofstra going into the fourth inning. The Hoosiers continued their momentum, scoring off an error by the catcher to make the score 3-0. Another error by the Pride gave Indiana its second run of the inning, going up 4-0.
The Pride got on base in its first at bat in the bottom of the fourth, as Sam Ward singled up the middle. Amanda Maffucci came in to pinch run for Ward, and successfully stole second base. The inning closed with a flyout to rightfield. Indiana added another score in the fifth inning to make it 5-0.
The sixth inning was more of the same, with the Hoosiers adding another unearned run off the back of an error, extended their lead to 6-0. Hofstra couldn’t respond in the bottom of the inning, as they headed to the seventh inning looking to get on the board. In the seventh, the Pride looked to pull off a late comeback but wasn’t able to make any ground, as the Pride fell to Indiana 6-0.
Apsel got the start for the Pride, pitching four innings. Haley Venturini came in to relief pitch for three innings. Collins recorded two hits on the day, with Chelsea Manto and Ward adding another one each.
Hofstra will look to notch its first victory of the season when they head to the Cardinal Classic to take on the University of Louisville in a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 4.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Vogel/Hofstra Athletics
