LYNCHBURG, VA – Madison Burns fired six innings of one-run ball while striking out four batters, but it was not enough as the Hofstra softball team was shutout 1-0 to the Butler University Bulldogs in the opener of the Liberty Spring Classic on Friday, Feb. 28.
Burns was bested by Butler starting pitcher Alyssa Graves, who pitched a complete game shutout while racking up ten strikeouts to drop the Pride’s record to 2-7 for the season.
Hofstra threatened to score several times throughout the game, but Graves fought out of trouble every time. Hofstra started the game by putting two runners on base in the top of the first inning with zero outs. With Kasey Collins at second and Meghan Giordano at first, Graves escaped the early jam by inducing a groundout from Jaycee Rubert and striking out Hofstra’s Lindsey Hay and Madison McKevitt.
Two innings later, Ruberti drew a two-out walk and stole second to reach scoring position, but Hay failed to capitalize and popped up to third base to end the inning.
The Bulldogs finally broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning when designated player Karli Ricketts smacked her sixth home run of the season down the left field line.
The home run by Ricketts proved to be all Butler needed to win. Although Hofstra continued to create scoring chances, Graves’ ability to pitch around trouble played a huge role in earning the Bulldogs’ ninth win of the season.
Graves retired the Pride’s two, three and four hitters once again in the seventh inning to seal the game for Butler.
It was a difficult game for the Pride offense, as they could only record five hits while being shut out for the fifth time this season. Hofstra left a total of ten runners on base, a season high.
Graves reached ten strikeouts in a game for the second time this season, lowering her season earned run average to 2.65. It was also the 11th time that she has pitched a full seven innings in a game in her collegiate career.
Following their loss to Butler, the Pride will continue the Liberty Spring Classic with another game on Friday against Liberty University, two more games on Saturday, Feb. 29, versus University of Pennsylvania and Yale University and one game on Sunday, March 1, against East Carolina University.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
