The Hofstra Pride baseball team split a doubleheader with the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens at Bob Hannah Stadium in Newark, Del, on Sat., March 11. The Blue Hens demolished the Pride 18-7, before Hofstra returned the favor the second game with a 6-3 victory. Hofstra is now 4-9 overall and 1-1 in conference games.
Delaware dominated the first of two Saturday games.The Blue Hens got off to a quick start with six runs to take a 6-1 lead through only one. Frustratingly enough for the visitors, this rampage began with two out as Delaware’s Andre Amato doubled to right field, resulting in two RBIs to give them the lead. Tyler Leach, Jake Dunion and Bret Lesher each had an RBI’s of their own before the inning was over.
The Blue Hens doubled down with seven more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Lesher put the cherry on top with a homer to right field with bases loaded. That brought Delaware’s total to 13, opening up a 12 point lead on the Pride. It was the second time Hofstra allowed their opponents to bat around in the game.
The Pride’s pitching was their downfall in the opening game as they gave up four home runs, half of which were hit by Joey Loynd. The third baseman had six at bats, the most out of any Delaware player in the first game. When it was all said and done, Hofstra was soundly defeated 18-7.
The second game did not tell a similar story. Hofstra took the lead in the third inning when Kevin Bruggeman doubled, scoring Dylan Palmer and Jake Liberatore . The Pride continued to produce offensively and loaded their bases in the top of the fourth. Santino Rosso made it home off a Palmer single to give the Pride a 3-2 lead.
Hofstra extended their advantage in the fifth as Ryan Morash doubled to left field allowing Steve Harrington to score. Rosso followed suit to make it a three run lead in favor of the Pride. The final blow offensively was delivered at the top of the sixth as Palmer got his second run of the day off an error. The Pride ultimately sealed the deal with a 6-3 win.
Having now won their first road game of the season and snapping a five-game losing streak in the process, the Pride will look to snatch their first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) series win of the regular season as they take on Delaware in the rubber game of the series on Sun., March 12. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
