The Hofstra University softball team dropped their second straight game to open their 2026 campaign against Florida Gulf Coast University on Friday, Feb. 13th, in a 4-3 walk-off loss in extra innings at the FGCU Eagle Invitational.

The Pride kept it a close game, and they even pulled ahead in the top of the eighth. Ultimately, though, they got themselves into a tough situation late in the game when they gave up a walk-off walk in the bottom of the tenth. 

Madison Steppe made her collegiate debut starting for the Pride. She surrendered nine hits and five walks and gave up four earned runs. Steppe was the only pitcher used by the Pride, pitching into the tenth inning.

Victoria Ash started in the circle for the Eagles. She hurled 5.2 innings of one-run ball, only giving up three hits and not allowing a walk. 

With one out in the sixth inning, Tegan Gabrielse entered the game in relief for Ash as the first of two relief pitchers used by the Eagles. Gabrielse threw three innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out four hitters. Julia Bacoulis entered the game with one out in the top of the ninth and finished the game with no earned runs in 1.2 innings of work. Bacoulis earned herself the win, improving to 2-1 in four games.

The Eagles scored first when Sietske Drijvers knocked a single to shallow right field to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead with two outs in the fifth inning. 

The Pride’s offense quickly answered. After Victoria Frobosilo doubled to lead off the sixth, Dahlia Palacio lined a single up the middle to even the game at one run apiece. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Eagles took the lead back when Kmari Williams came off the bench to deliver a leadoff double. After a fielding error by the first baseman Palacio, where she sent Williams to third, Sophie Wylie brought Williams home with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving the Eagles the 2-1 lead. 

With two runners on and two outs, Frobosilo lined her second hit of the night to center field and tied the game back up 2-2. 

The score remained knotted at two runs into extra innings. The Pride drew first blood when Alana Morse cracked a single up the middle to score the ghost runner Palacio from second.

The Pride’s lead was short-lived. Nikki Gibson, the ghost runner at second, moved to third on a passed ball and Presley Smith singled through the left side of the infield to tie the game once again.

The Pride was unable to answer back in the ninth inning. With one out in the top of the ninth, Bacoulis entered the game in relief of Gabrielse, striking out Mackenzie Fitzgerald and Frobosilo to keep the runner at second stranded. 

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Steppe still looked strong, walking one but not allowing any runs. 

In the top of the tenth, Bacoulis answered the call once again, walking two Hofstra batters but stranding them. 

In the bottom of the tenth, Gibson was once again the runner placed on second. Williams laid down a bunt single to move Gibson over Steppe intentionally walked Tiffany Meek to load the bases. 

Mackenzie Leiti worked a full count, fouling off four pitches in the process. Ultimately, on the eighth pitch of the at-bat, Leiti drew the game-winning walk to win the game by a score of 4-3. 

The Pride continued to seek their first win of the season at the FGCU Eagle Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 14, in game two against the Eagles.