The Hofstra Pride softball team traveled down to Boca Raton, Florida to play in the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Strike Out Cancer Tournament, dropping their opening game versus Illinois State University 9-0 in five innings on Friday, Feb. 22.

The first two innings were a hard-fought pitcher’s duel between Pride freshman Nikki Mullen and Redbirds sophomore Mack Leonard. 

Emme Olson broke the scoring open with a two-out, two-run home run to left field, scoring Leonard to give the Redbirds a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

Hofstra threatened with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the third but were unable to score any runners. 

The Redbirds’ offense was firing on all cylinders at the top of the fourth inning when they broke the game wide open.

Alyssa Wiebel started the fourth inning with a double down the right field line which was quickly followed up with a RBI double from Andrea Coursey down the left field line, scoring Wiebel.

The Redbirds tacked on another run off of a throwing error by the Pride to go up 4-0.

After going through their entire lineup in the fourth inning, the Redbirds were up 9-0 after scoring seven runs on seven hits.

Mackenize Suto came on to relieve Mullins in the start of the fifth inning and was able to keep the Redbirds off the board as they left three runners on.

Hofstra was unsuccessful at the plate and could not score any runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to prevent the run rule.

The Pride has not been able to plate a run in three games and has dropped their past two games due to run rule in the fifth inning.

Mullins allowed nine runs on 11 hits, striking out one and walking one through 24 batters faced over four full innings of work. She falls to 1-2 on the season.

 The Pride could only record four hits on the day, including a double from Alexis Goeke. 

Hofstra will face the host school, Florida Atlantic University, as they look to snap their three-game losing streak.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics