The Hofstra Pride softball team continued its stay at the Unconquered Invitational, dropping both games of a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 26, to Indiana University and No. 3 Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Indiana came out of the gates hot, as Cora Bassett homered inside the park to get things going in game one. Hofstra quickly regrouped with two groundouts and Nikki Mullin striking out one. The Pride started out strong in the bottom of the first with a single through the left side from Chelsea Manto. Manto then stole second and advanced to third after a groundout. Indiana managed to get out with its lead still intact after a flyout to right field ended the inning.

In the top of the second, Indiana picked up where they left off, with four different players reaching base in the inning. After a walk, Juvia Davis crossed home plate to bring the lead to 2-0. The Pride responded with back-to-back outs with bases loaded to end the inning.

Indiana continued to take advantage of Hofstra’s defense, adding another run to extend its lead to 3-0. The Pride was able to get on base in the bottom of the third, after a base hit from Gianna Iaquinto toward center field. Hofstra could not capitalize, though, as the Pride ended the inning still scoreless.

It was scoreless the next three innings going into the seventh. Indiana once again tacked onto its lead after a triple made it 4-0. Hofstra couldn’t pull off a late rally and Indiana took home the win. Mullin pitched 2.2 innings and struck out two. Julia Apsel came in relief pitching 4.1 innings, striking out two and only allowing two hits.

The second game was another tough matchup for the Pride, as No. 3 Florida State got out to a fast start, scoring five runs to end the first inning. Hofstra struggled to get anything going offensively, getting only one player on base through the first three innings.

The Pride started off well in the fourth inning, putting two on base early. Florida State stopped Hofstra’s momentum after a strikeout, converting on two pop-ups to end the inning. The Seminoles extended their lead further in the bottom of the fourth, adding five more runs to extend the lead to 10-0. An obstruction call ended the game in the fifth inning as No. 3 Florida State notched the victory.

Haley Venturini earned the start in this one with Apsel coming in relief, pitching 2.1 innings and striking out two. Annabella Pisapia threw 1.1 innings, striking out two batters as well, with Mullin closing out the game. Angelina Ioppolo and Manto each had one hit in the afternoon.

Hofstra wraps up play at the Unconquered Invitational with one more contest against Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 9 a.m.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Vogel/Hofstra Athletics