With a strong fourth inning where Hofstra baseball brought home four runs, the Pride defeated the Delaware Blue Hens 5-4 on the road in game one of their three-game series on Friday, May 10.
The Pride overcame a late seventh inning spurt by Delaware in which they posted three runs on reliever Andrew Mundy’s first inning pitched, threatening Hofstra by coming within one.
Ultimately however, Mundy held it together as Hofstra closed out the last two innings giving up just one hit and cementing the win over their conference rivals.
Though the Blue Hens took the first lead of the game with a lead off home run in the bottom of the first inning, Hofstra quickly gained control.
Jack Jett, who got the start on the mound for Hofstra, allowed just four hits in his six innings of play, keeping Delaware off the board after his early mishap by striking out six batters and eventually earning the win.
The Pride’s stellar fourth inning that put them ahead featured a three-run triple by Austin Gauthier after Hofstra loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batsman. Shortly after, a sacrifice fly by Anthony D’Onofrio by increased the Pride lead to three at 4-1.
Pollack once again came up big for Hofstra in the seventh, doubling in Tyler White who gave the Pride an extra point of cushion which would turn out to be crucial after Delaware’s seventh inning spurt.
The Blue Hens managed to get back in it as Jack Goan crossed home plate after leading off the inning with a single and then scoring of a Zach Miller double. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Erik Bowren was hit by a pitch, allowing Brad Kaden to score, while Zach Lesher reached home due to a Jordan Hutchins sacrifice fly.
A one-point deficit was the closest the Blue Hens got however, as Mundy earned the save to start Hofstra’s weekend off with a strong win over the Blue Hens.
Taking the loss on the mound for Delaware was Brandon Walter who got the start and played seven innings, giving up five hits and five runs while also walking four batters. Walter did match Jack with six strikeouts, however.
The Pride will look to keep the winning alive on the road for the weekend as they close out the series against Delaware with a Saturday double-header.
The games are scheduled for 2, and 6 p.m.
Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
