The Hofstra Pride softball team improved its record to 4-4 in the young 2021 season on Saturday, March 20, decisively sweeping a doubleheader with the University of Massachusetts Lowell at Bill Edwards Stadium. The Pride played all-around solid games, anchored by the defense behind starting pitchers Madison Burns and Nikki Mullin.
In game one, Burns pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just four hits, securing her first win of the season. Her effort was backed up by a strong offensive outing, led by a three-hit performance by Jaycee Ruberti. Brianna Morse and Chelsea Manto also turned in multi-hit games en route to a dominant 5-0 win.
“I thought Brianna Morse did a great job at second base.” said Hofstra head coach Jay Miller. “We’ve been looking for who’s gonna solidify us infield-wise on that right side … I was real pleased with the freshman and how she did today.”
Mullin allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks in game two, but some timely defensive plays helped limit major damage. After escaping trouble in the third inning to keep the UMass lead to just one run, Alexis Goeke launched a rocket double to the left field fence, giving Hofstra a 2-1 lead. Loud doubles by Kristin Hallam and Ruberti in the sixth inning gave the Pride all the breathing room they would need to lock down their second win of the day by a score of 3-2.
“I was very pleased with our pitching staff today,” Miller said. “[Madison] Burns throwing a shutout the first game, I thought Nikki Mullin did a great job that second game; both of them, the best games they’ve thrown this year.”
There is still room to improve for Hofstra on offense. While they scored eight runs across the two games, they found themselves in position to do a lot more damage. In game two, they left seven runners in scoring position in the 3-2 victory. While they managed to squeeze out the win, taking advantage of those opportunities will be crucial to sustaining this success.
The Pride will match up with UMass for another doubleheader on Sunday, March 21, looking to build on their strong start to the weekend with Burns and Annabella Pisapia on the mound at Bill Edwards Stadium.
Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle
