The Hofstra softball team kicked off their weekend with a 6-0 win against Norfolk State University and a 2-0 win against the University of Albany in the first two games of the Blue and White Classic in Norfolk, Virginia. Pitchers Madison Burns and Mackenzie Suto earned the wins, combining for 14 innings of scoreless softball.
In her start against Norfolk, Burns controlled the game from the very start. She went through the first seven batters of the lineup without letting a runner reach base and only allowed runners to be in scoring position three times. She was even more dominant in the few times that runners reached scoring position. Norfolk State went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, as Burns didn’t allow Norfolk State to chip into the Pride’s lead.
Part of why Burns was able to have so much control over the game was the way she was keeping Norfolk State from hitting the ball in the air. She held the Spartans to 15 ground balls, while only allowing four fly balls. This is why, despite only striking out two batters, Burns was able to stop the Spartans from gaining any momentum.
The offense had one of their most complete games of the season, compiling nine hits with three batters – Kasey Collins, Courtney Scarpato and Meghan Giordano – recording multiple hits.
Scarpato was in control of the batter’s box for the entire game, reaching base in all of her plate appearances. She drew two walks alongside an RBI bunt single and RBI triple. Giordano also extended her hit streak to nine games, though she would lose it later in the day against Albany. The Pride also received RBIs from Madison McKevitt and Angelina Ioppolo.
Much like her fellow pitcher, Suto was in control for her entire start against Albany in game two. She recorded six strikeouts and only four hits en route to her third complete game of the season. While her command of the strike zone was inconsistent, allowing four walks and hitting two batters, she showed great composure under pressure. She stranded eight runners on base, with only one making it as far as third base. Suto was at her best over the last four innings, only allowing four baserunners, none of which reached scoring position.
Despite only recording one hit against the Great Danes on a single from Devyn Losco, the Hofstra offense was able to do just enough to get the win. They were incredibly patient at the plate, recording a season-high eight walks. They got all of the runs they would need in the very first inning, as Kristin Hallam stole both second and third base after drawing a walk to start the game. She would be driven in by way of a Scarpato sacrifice fly and her third RBI of the day. The Pride would also pick up an important insurance run in the sixth inning, thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Jaycee Ruberti.
The Pride will continue the Blue and White classic, Saturday, March 9, with another doubleheader against Iona College at 9 a.m. and Morgan State University at 11:15 a.m.
