A late rally in game two fell short for the Hofstra softball team as the Pride was swept by Villanova University 6-0 and 9-8 at the Villanova Invitational on Saturday, March 13.
With runners on second and third, the Wildcats took a quick 1-0 lead in the second inning of game one after Chloe Smith scored Sydney Hayes on a fielder’s choice.
Villanova scored another run in the third, and a homerun by Ryan Henry in the fourth extended the lead to 3-0.
The Wildcats blew the game open in the sixth after they scored three runs taking the opening game 6-0.
The Pride ended with four hits in the game with two hits apiece from Kristin Hallam and Meghan Giordano. Eight different Villanova players recorded hits in the game with Smith recording two RBIs.
Madison Burns got the start for the Pride throwing five innings giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits. Hallam tossed one inning allowing three runs (all earned) on two hits while striking out a batter.
Villanova’s Paige Rauch got the win throwing seven innings allowing four hits with nine strikeouts.
The Wildcat offense erupted in the opening frames of game two with Henry launching a solo homerun in the second inning and a two-run shot in the third inning as Villanova jumped to an early 6-0 lead in the third inning.
The fourth inning saw Alexis Goeke drive in Hofstra’s first run of the day off a fielder’s choice, scoring Chelsea Manto. Lindsey Hay scored Jaycee Ruberti on the next play with a groundout to third, pulling the Pride back into the game at 6-2.
Henry responded in the bottom half of the inning with a single scoring Megan Kern followed by a bases-loaded walk scoring Julia DaCosta extending the lead back to six.
Manto added another Pride run in the fifth bringing the Pride within five. Hofstra broke through in the sixth with a Madison McKevitt double scoring Devyn Losco and Angelina Ioppolo making it an 8-6 game. Ruberti followed that up with an infield single scoring Kayla Wilson and Kristin Hallam to tie the game.
Rauch sent Villanova home with a walk-off win with a double in the seventh, completing the sweep over the Pride.
Nikki Mullin got the start for the pride through 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits. Annabella Pisapia threw the final two frames allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits.
Sara Kennedy earned the win, throwing seven innings allowing eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits.
Losco led the Pride in game two with three hits while Hallam and Ruberti each added two.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
