LYNCHBURG, VA – Following a 1-0 loss to Butler University early Friday morning, the Hofstra softball team dropped the second game of a doubleheader, 6-1, on Friday, Feb. 28 to Liberty University.

Hofstra’s bats were silenced once again as Liberty starting pitcher Karlie Keeney threw a complete game with seven strikeouts en route to her third win of the season.

Liberty struck first and scored three runs in the second inning off Hofstra starting pitcher Nikki Mullin. The Flames registered four consecutive hits that allowed Caroline Hudson, Autumn Bishop and Emily Sweat to cross home plate. 

In the next inning, Liberty scored three more and took a 6-0 lead. After two straight singles from freshman Blake Gibson and sophomore Kara Canetto, Bishop smacked a three-run home run to straight away centerfield to extend the Flames’ lead. 

Hofstra got their lone run in the fifth inning from a single by Jordan Pietrzykoski and a throwing error by center fielder Canetto.

Keeney struck out two Hofstra batters in the seventh to close out the game and drop the Pride’s record to 2-8.

It was the second consecutive game in which the Pride fell victim to a complete game by the opposing pitcher.

For Hofstra, only Madison McKevitt, Angelina Ioppolo and Pietrzykoski recorded hits. Mullin only lasted two innings for the Pride, surrendering three runs on four hits.

For Liberty, Bishop led the way, going 3-of-4 with three runs batted in, including her second home run of the season. 

Hofstra has now lost three consecutive games for the second time this season while Liberty is on a four-game win streak and are 5-11 on the season. 

Hofstra continues the Liberty Spring classic with matchups against University of Pennsylvania and Yale University on Saturday, Feb. 29.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics