The Hofstra University softball team dropped both games of their doubleheader when they lost to James Madison University by a score of 5-3 on Sunday, March 1. With this game, the Pride ended the Lakeside Book Company Invitational and tournament play. They will also kick off Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play with a 3-10 standing.
Ryleigh Smith recorded her first collegiate multi-hit game for the Pride, while Alanna Morse, Gabby Sultan, Victoria Frobosilo and Nicole Cancel all recorded one hit for Hofstra. Kylee Gleason and Madison Edwards secured two hits and an RBI each in the victory for the Dukes.
Kailyn Haig started for Hofstra in the circle. Through five innings, Haig allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two strikeouts. Madison Steppe made her third relief appearance in her collegiate career, pitching one inning and allowing two earned runs on two hits.
Kirsten Fleet pitched a complete game for the Dukes. Through seven innings of work, she allowed two earned runs on six hits and eight strikeouts.
James Madison threatened Hofstra during the first inning after back-to-back singles from Gleason and Edwards. Haig escaped further trouble with a strikeout and two flyouts to end the inning.
The game remained scoreless until the Dukes scored a run in the bottom of the third. Haig forced Gleason to foul out to lead off the inning. Edwards worked a walk and stole second to kickstart the offense. Bella Henzler picked up an RBI with a knock to left field. Emily LeGrand singled and stole second to place runners on second and third. Kendra Lewis worked a walk to load the bases before Haig struck out Mia Tribul to get out of the inning.
Hofstra responded in the top of the fourth inning, knotting the game at one apiece. With one out, Sultan doubled, and with two outs after Frobosilo reached first base on a fielding error by Lewis, Sultan scored.
James Madison broke open the game with a four-run sixth inning. Haig allowed back-to-back singles to open the frame before Steppe came in for relief. Lisey St. Jean loaded the bases with a successful bunt. Cali Legzdin ripped a single down the first base line to score Tribul and Reaghan Warner. Back-to-back sacrifice flies from Gleason and Edwards gave the Dukes a 5-1 lead heading into the final inning.
The Pride rally fell short in the seventh inning. Frobosilo led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Cancel singled to place runners on the corners. Smith scored Frobosilo with a single down the third base line to trim the lead to three. Morse singled to score Cancel and advanced to second on the throw. But the comeback fell short after Chelsea Villar grounded out to Emma Jo Evans to end the game.
Hofstra’s home opener marks the start of CAA play. The Pride takes on Stony Brook University on Friday, March 6. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Bill Edwards Stadium.
