The Hofstra University baseball team faced a three-game sweep against Mississippi State University, ending with a 7-5 loss in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 14.
The Pride went 0-3 this opening weekend against the No. 4 team in the nation. Last season, the Pride opened play against one of the best teams in the nation – the reigning national champions, No. 1 University of Tennessee. This season, however, the Pride made huge strides against a top-ranked pitching staff, scoring 11 runs in the series. Last season, the Pride were only able to squeeze out two runs against the Volunteers.
The Pride made another big jump across their first series in pitching. Last season, the Pride had a bruised-up, young squad of pitchers, who accumulated a team ERA of 8.63. In the series against the fourth-best team coming into the 2026 season, the Pride limited walks and pitched to a team ERA of just 5.63.
CJ Griggs highlighted the scorecard for the Pride, ripping his second home run of the day. Griggs hit a solo shot in game one and a three-run blast in game two of the doubleheader. Griggs went 3-11 in the series, smashing two balls out of the park and cashing in on five RBIs.
Charlie Foster took the bump for the Bulldogs, making the Pride’s bats hot early in the game. Hofstra’s Michael Brown singled down the right field line and moved to second when Tyler Castrataro drew a full-count walk. With two outs, Griggs ripped a 1-0 pitch deep over the center field fence to put the Pride up 3-0.
Christian Rasmussen, who will likely be the everyday Sunday starter, got the ball in game three of the set for the Pride. After making quick work of James Nunnallee, Rasmussen allowed a double to All-American Ace Reese and brought Noah Sullivan aboard on a walk. Aidan Teel singled to center field, bringing Reese home to score.
Nick Gallello started the second inning off for the Pride, finding a gap in right-center field, but was left stranded at second.
The Bulldogs damaged the Pride with two outs in the second inning. After consecutive groundouts, Chone James drew a walk and advanced to third on Nunnalle’s double down the right field line. The double ended Rasmussen’s day. In his second career start in blue and gold, Rasmussen allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks.
Grady Lacourciere relieved Rasmussen. Just two pitches into his appearance, Reese took Lacourciere deep, giving the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
After clean third and fourth frames, the Pride pulled back in front. Michael Craig started the fifth inning with a single up the middle. Chris Billingsley began to lose command and walked the top three batters – Brown, JJ DeVito and Castrataro – who scored a run. Dane Burns took the mound and allowed a run to score via a walk to Griggs.
The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the inning when Tanner Sanderoff came in relief after a balk call on Lacourciere. Teel singled, and the Pride’s defense allowed a run on an error. A walk loaded the bases for James, who cashed in on a two-run single to give the Bulldogs the 7-5 advantage.
The Pride’s and Bulldogs’ offenses went through standstills following the fifth inning, unable to string hits together off the bullpen.
Hofstra will head back up north for their home opener against New York rival Iona University. First pitch of game one of the series is set for 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20.
