The Hofstra softball team dropped to 7-6 on the season as they lost to Seton Hall University 6-2 on Wednesday, March 31 in South Orange, New Jersey.  

Madison Burns struggled on the mound for the Pride and surrendered five earned runs on seven hits in only three innings pitched. She now has a 2-5 record with a 3.64 earned run average. On the other side, Seton Hall starting pitcher Shelby Smith fired a complete game allowing only two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts to earn her second win of the year.

Hofstra and Seton Hall were scoreless until the third inning when the Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead. After recording the first two outs with ease, Burns looked to throw her third consecutive scoreless frame. However, Jaden Tate reached first base on a single to right-center and scored on a two-run home run by Janae Barracato to break the scoreless tie.

The Pride got one run back in the following inning on an RBI groundout by Alexis Goeke, but Seton Hall pounced on Burns once again in the bottom half. Burns failed to record an out before getting relieved as the Pirates extended their lead to 6-1.

With a runner on first base, Shelby Smith doubled home Darby Pandolfo and later scored on an RBI single to right field by Abby Wingo.

After Annabella Pisapia relieved Burns with Seton Hall leading 4-1, the Pirates plated two more runs to take a five-run lead. A costly error by shortstop Kristin Hallam extended the inning, and Baylee Allender brought home the final two runs with a double down the left field line.

Hofstra responded with only one run in the fifth inning and failed to generate any more scoring chances the rest of the way. Smith was in control the majority of the game for Seton Hall, with her only two hiccups coming in the fourth and fifth innings.

Despite the loss, Hofstra still sits in second place in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) North Division behind the 11-2 University of Delaware. The Pride has a 1-1 conference record.

Drexel University sits right behind the Pride in the standings with a 9-1 record followed by the 8-6 Towson University.

Hofstra will open up a big CAA series on the road against the Towson Tigers with a single game on Friday, April 2 beginning at 1 p.m. followed by a Saturday double-header.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics