Opening day for the Hofstra baseball team did not go as planned, as the Pride fell to Purdue University, 9-6, on Friday, Feb. 14, at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida. The Pride carried a 6-4 lead going into the eighth inning, but Kyle LaPlante’s three-run double capped off a five-run inning for the Boilermakers.
Austin Gauthier got the Pride rolling in the top of the first and smacked a leadoff home run over the right field fence, giving Hofstra a 1-0 lead. After Hofstra second baseman Ryan Morash misfielded a ground ball that allowed Ben Nisle to advance to third, Purdue tied the score with an unearned run thanks to a Mason Gavre single in the second inning.
Hofstra threatened again in the third and loaded the bases with Anthony D’Onofrio coming to the plate. On a 0-1 count, D’Onofrio delivered with an infield single to shortstop and put the Pride back in front, 2-1. Hofstra was not done in the inning and scored their third run off a wild pitch from starting pitcher Trent Johnson.
The Pride’s shaky defense hurt them again in the fourth inning and allowed Purdue to score three more unearned runs and take a 4-3 lead. Following Gauthier’s error at shortstop, the Boilermakers tallied two consecutive hits that scored Gavre and Zac Fascia. Later in the frame, Hofstra right fielder Vinnie Costello saved a run and ended the inning by throwing out Skyler Hunter at the plate after a single from LaPlante.
After failing to capitalize on a bases-loaded opportunity in the fifth, Hofstra was once again in a scoring scenario an inning later, and this time they were able to take back the lead. With the score tied at four after Tyler White’s RBI single, Gauthier and D’Onofrio struck again and helped give the Pride a 6-4 advantage.
Just as things were looking up for Hofstra,the Boilermakers rallied in the eighth inning to score five unanswered runs. The Pride’s Jimmy Joyce struggled, walking in the tying run. Followed by a three-run double from LaPlante, this put Purdue in front for good.
Despite the loss, Hofstra starting pitcher Jack Jett pitched well and fired 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (zero earned) and four strikeouts. Also for the Pride, Gauthier went 2 for 2 with three walks and two RBIs. D’Onofrio went 3 for 4, also driving in two runs.
For Purdue, LaPlante had a huge game and knocked in three runs on three hits. Also, Dalton Parker got the win for the Boilermakers and pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
Hofstra continues their series against Purdue on Saturday, Feb. 15, with a double-header beginning at 1 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
