The Hofstra softball team had a tough start to the season, losing both games of a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 18, to Bethune-Cookman University, 6-1, and Butler University, 5-0, in Leesburg, Florida.

Hofstra took the field first with sophomore lefty Julia Apsel on the mound against Bethune-Cookman. Apsel missed the entirety of the 2021 season due to injury and got off to a shaky start in her first game action in more than a year by coughing up a pair of runs in the first, putting Hofstra down 2-0. The first inning started off pretty well for Hofstra as center fielder Chelsea Manto led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single followed by a stolen base. However, she didn’t advance any further as Hofstra wasn’t able to take advantage of having a runner in scoring position with no outs to start the game.

At the bottom of the third, Hofstra catcher Devyn Losco tripled to right and went on to score the Pride’s lone run of the game off of a throwing error.

Bethune-Cookman’s starting pitcher Hannah Ortega tossed a complete one-run game while handing out seven strikeouts. Bethune-Cookman broke the game wide open at the top of the fifth inning, putting up three runs on four hits to make it a 5-1 ball game.

Hofstra was unable to respond and went on to lose the game, allowing the Wildcats to take one more run. Bethune-Cookman had a great offensive showing, putting up 13 hits while having multiple players with two-hit games.

In the Pride’s second game of the doubleheader against Butler, the first inning started off quiet as neither team was able to do much offensively. Butler drew first blood as a pair of singles and a double gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Hofstra’s bats remained silent as Butler starting pitcher Kali Ricketts had them on ice the whole game. The senior pitcher threw six shutout innings while striking out 10 batters.

A quick third inning for the Pride was followed by another Butler run in the fourth that stretched its lead to 3-0.

Hofstra was able to get something going in the fifth as they loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk but were unable to drive any runs in with two outs. From that point on, sloppy play on the defensive side of the ball and a non-existent offense led to a 5-0 Butler win.

It was a slow start to the season for Hofstra, but they will look to rebound against Liberty University on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Vogel/Hofstra Athletics