After a rainy Saturday pushed their scheduled game back a day, the Hofstra University softball team fell 3-2 to Rutgers University in the second game of their Sunday, April 26, doubleheader. Dahlia Palacio scored both runs for the Pride.

Madison Steppe appeared in the circle for the Pride, making her 19th start of the season. She entered the game with an 11-4 record and a 3.96 ERA on the season. She pitched four innings, allowed four hits, walked one batter, struck out five and allowed three runs – two earned – in the loss.

Brooke Shifflett stepped in the circle for the Scarlet Knights for her 16th start of the season. She entered the day with a 7-8 record and a 7.00 ERA on the season. She pitched five innings, allowed four hits, walked two batters, struck out five and allowed two runs – one earned – in the victory.  

Rutgers got the scoring started early, as Sam Rohwer lifted a leadoff 2-1 pitch over the right field wall.

Hofstra answered back in the top of the third, as Palacio sent a single down the left field line then advanced to second base on a throwing error. She then stole third base and came home on a double to left field by Gabby Sultan. Sultan later advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Shifflett got out of the inning without allowing another run to score. 

In the bottom of the inning, Rohwer struck again. This time, she smashed a full-count pitch from Steppe over the left field wall to give the Scarlet Knights the lead again. 

In the fifth, Steppe’s evening ended after she hit the first batter and the second batter reached on an error. Hofstra chose to bring in Kailyn Haig to try and get out of the two runners on, no-out jam. She made it out of the inning, but not before allowing the bases to load, as Hailey Stripling came home on a sacrifice fly to center field by Addie Osborne. 

In the sixth, Palacio drew a leadoff walk, then advanced to third base on a single to right by Sultan. This ended Shifflett’s night as Rutgers looked to Marley Caldwell to lock down the final six outs for the Scarlet Knights. Palacio scored on a wild pitch to cut Rutgers’ lead to 3-2.

Despite allowing the run to score, Caldwell did not allow a single hit and shut down the Pride to earn the first save of her collegiate career. 

With the loss, the Pride dropped to 26-21 on the season, while Rutgers improved to 26-25 on the season.

The Pride look to bounce back as they host Coastal Athletic Association North division rival Monmouth University for the final series of the regular season. The series begins Thursday, April 30. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. from Bill Edwards Stadium.