Down 11-3 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning, the Hofstra baseball team scored eight unanswered runs against Sacred Heart University to force extra innings in a game that was cut short in 12th due to impending darkness. The non-conference contest, held on Wednesday May 8 at University Field, ended in an 11-11 tie. This marks Hofstra’s first tie game in over nine years, when they tied with the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) on April 28, 2010.
A team that has won nine of their last 13 games, dating back to a comeback win against Towson University on April 28, showed their resilience once again.
“At the end of the day, we scored eight unanswered to tie it and I think that’s pretty special,” said Hofstra head coach John Russo. “That’s what this team has done that last 15 games and I think we should be able to carry that into Friday night.”
Freshman James Cardinale got the start for Hofstra, throwing 1 2/3 innings while allowing five hits and three earned runs.
The Pride used six pitchers in total. Redshirt junior Seamus Brazill recorded the longest outing, pitching 3 1/3 innings and only allowing two hits and no runs scored.
“Not super happy [Brazil] went 3 1/3 today,” Russo said. “But we just didn’t have much with the game yesterday.”
Russo recognizes that a strong bullpen is essential when the starter has a short outing, especially in a close, extra-inning game.
“I think [the bullpen] was incredible. That was really, really good,” Russo said.
Sophomore Austin Gauthier and senior Vito Friscia led the Pride offensively, each recording three hits. Friscia has now hit safely in 10 straight games and has gotten on base in 26 contests in a row.
Gauthier also stole three bases.
Junior Rob Weissheier recorded four RBI, which led the team, including a two-run homerun in the 6th inning to spark the Pride comeback. It was his seventh homerun on the season.
“They don’t make them better than [Weissheier],” Russo said. “He does everything right. He works really, really hard. All the guys love him.”
Senior Parker Quinn also homered in the contest, his third of the year. Quinn’s solo shot came in the 8th inning to bring the score to 11-8 in favor of the Pioneers.
Hofstra scored eight runs in four innings, tying the game at 11 in the 9th thanks to an RBI triple from freshman Anthony D’onofrio.
No runs were scored in extra innings, and the game was eventually called early because of darkness.
Despite the tie, Russo recognizes the fight that his team showed.
“We know what kind of club we are now,” he said. “We just stay together as a big family. The guys don’t give up, the dugout doesn’t give up. Super proud of it. Can’t be prouder to be their coach.”
Hofstra next has a series at Delaware University against the Fighting Blue Hens starting Friday May 10 at 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics.
