Hofstra baseball lost both contests in a doubleheader matchup with St. John’s University on Saturday, March 23, that saw the Pride outscored 18-1 across both games, losing 9-1 and 9-0 respectively. 

Game 1 saw the Pride quickly fall behind as St. John’s jumped out to 7-0 lead by the third inning with hits from Ryan Hogan, Mike Antico and Brandon Miller. Antico drove in two more with a double in the next inning, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs in the first game. 

Hofstra started Ryan Rue, who came into the day riding a 14-inning streak without allowing an earned run, but the freshman pitcher was roughed up for seven earned runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out one over 2 2/3 innings.

Austin Gauthier scored the lone run for the Pride after a leadoff walk, followed by a single from Vinnie Costello, and two passed balls in the inning allowing for both runners to advance and Hofstra’s only run to score in the top of the fifth inning. 

The unearned run was the only blemish on St. John’s starter Sean Mooney’s outing, who tossed six innings for the Red Storm, allowing only three hits, walking four and striking out seven Pride batters while picking up the win. 

Hofstra totaled five hits in the opening game as junior Anthony D’Onofrio, senior Vito Frisciaand freshman Rob Weissheiereach added a hit in the losing effort. Freshman Sean Flaherty collected his first career extra base hit with a double in the sixth inning.

Game 2 saw St. John’s get out to another quick start as the Red Storm scored an unearned run in the first inning after a throwing error from Friscia set up an RBI single from Ryan Markey. 

Graduate student Michael James who started the second game suffered the loss despite allowing the one unearned run over three innings. Mike Mirando allowed one run on one hit, walking two in his sole inning of work. Jack Anderson, who threw a perfect fifth inning, allowed two runs to cross the plate in the sixth. 

St. John’s put the game out of reach with a five spot in the seventh as they went on to shut out the Pride the rest of the way, winning 9-0.

Friscia had one of the few highlights for the Pride, accounting for two of Hofstra’s four hits, extending his hit streak to eight games. 

The two losses drop Hofstra’s record to 3-14 as it continues to struggle this season, while St. John’s improves its record to 10-9. The Pride’s next game is on Tuesday, March 26, at 3 p.m. when they take on Monmouth University.

Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics