The Hofstra baseball team overcame a five-run second inning deficit, rallying for a triumphant 8-5 victory over the Sacred Heart University Pioneers on Friday afternoon, March 12 at University Field.
Santino Rosso tied the game at five with a two-run home run that was launched over the right field fence. From there, it was all Hofstra.
“Confidence, energy and belief,” said Hofstra baseball coach John Russo. “We are really good when we do those things.”
It was not all that pretty. The Pioneers exploded for a five-run second inning, notching hit after hit off starter Ryan Rue.
“I was really worried going into the game that we would get into a slow start and we did,” Russo said. “There we were down 5-0.”
Mark Faello relieved Rue after one inning and escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam, striking out two consecutive batters. He earned the win by tossing five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and fanning six batters.
“I have known [Faello] since he was nine,” Russo said. “I am glad everyone is getting to see how tough he is and the pitcher he is becoming. That game could have gotten away from us. What toughness he showed.”
Kevin Bruggeman recorded a pair of hits and scored two runs while playing strong defense behind the plate. Brian Goulard tallied three hits, two RBIs and one run on five at-bats.
“A lot of times I have to apologize to [Goulard] because I forget to mention him in postgame, but here he is leading us through,” Russo said. “He is such a great kid to have on this team.”
With no fans in attendance, the Pride rallied for a five-run inning of their own in the sixth, taking advantage of Sacred Heart’s poor defensive play. The Pioneers had four errors, including a costly dropped fly-ball that ignited a rally.
On the other hand, Hofstra’s defense improved dramatically. The Pride flashed diving catches, double plays and perfect throws, committing only two errors in the afternoon.
The Pride has won their last five home openers, improving to 5-4 on the season and ending a two-game skid. Hofstra is 6-0-1 all-time against Sacred Heart after handing the Pioneers their eighth loss of the season. Russo also earned his 178th career victory, one shy of tying Jack Smith (1943-1962).
Photo courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle
