The Hofstra softball team got off to a disappointing start to the 2020 season after losing 7-1 to Drake University, followed by a 3-0 loss to Stanford University on Friday, Feb. 14, at the Stanford Invitational.
In game one of their doubleheader, Hofstra’s bats went silent and could only register one run against the Bulldogs. Drake got off to a rapid start and plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to RBI’s from Sarah Maddox, Kristen Arias and Emily Valtman.
Following her first inning struggles, Hofstra starting pitcher Madison Burns settled down in the second and third and pitched two scoreless innings. In the fourth, however, the Bulldogs pressured Burns again and extended their lead to 6-0. After Valtman and Delaney Taylor led off with two consecutive hits, Laura Anderson singled to left and drove in Drake’s fifth run of the game. Later in the inning, Drake scored one more thanks to a sacrifice fly from Mandi Roemmich.
Hannah Pals added an RBI single in the sixth inning and put Drake up 7-0. The following inning, Jaycee Ruberti was hit by a pitch that allowed Hofstra to score their only run in the seventh, but the Bulldogs closed it out soon after, winning 7-1.
For Hofstra, Burns struggled heavily and was tagged for five earned runs on seven hits over four innings pitched.
As for Drake, starting pitcher Nicole Timmons shutout the Pride for 5 2/3 innings, while striking out 10 batters and earned her fourth win of the season.
In game two, Hofstra struggled at the plate once again, this time failing to score a run and falling 3-0 at the hands of the Stanford Cardinals.
The Pride threatened early in the first inning, but could not plate a run after Ruberti was thrown out at the plate by Stanford left fielder Kaitlyn Lim while trying to score off of a Lindsey Hay single.
Emily Schultz got the Cardinals on the board in the second inning with a solo shot to right field off of Hofstra starting pitcher Nikki Mullin. An inning later, Stanford struck again and extended their lead to 2-0, thanks to an RBI infield single from Lim.
After Hofstra was sent down in order during the top-half of the fourth, Stanford scored again for the third consecutive inning in the bottom-half. With a runner on third base and two outs, Teaghan Cowles doubled to right field and plated Stanford’s third run of the game.
In the top of the seventh, Hofstra tried their best to get back in the game and had runners on second and third with two outs. Unfortunately for the Pride, Alex Musial struck out swinging and ended the game, capping off a disappointing start to the 2020 season.
Despite allowing only three runs over six innings pitched, Mullin failed to get her first win of the season.
For Stanford, starting pitcher Alana Vawter dominated and threw a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts to earn her second win of the season.
Hofstra is back at it on Saturday, Feb. 15, for another double-header when they take on Drake once again at 1 p.m. and Stanford at 3:30 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
