FAIRFAX, VA – The Hofstra softball team snapped their seven-game losing streak with a 10-7 victory over the University at Buffalo on Saturday, March 7, at the George Mason Invitational.

Meghan Giordano and Jordan Pietrzykoski each tallied four runs batted in in the contest to help the Pride win their third game of the season.

The Pride and the Bulls were knotted at one until the third inning, when Pietrzykoski tripled in two runs and then stole home to give Hofstra a 4-1 lead.

Even after Buffalo left fielder Anna Aguon belted a grand slam the following inning to give the Bulls a 7-4 lead, Hofstra’s young bats were resilient and responded with six unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings to go ahead 10-7. Giordano responded to Aguon’s blast with a grand slam of her own, forcing Bulls pitcher
Madelyn Hickingbottom out of the game.

The slam was Giordano’s first home run of the season and capped off a five-run fourth inning. The Pride added one more in the fifth and closed out the game as Madison Burns struck out two Buffalo batters in the seventh inning.

It was a strong day for Hofstra’s offense, as they scored double-digit runs for the first time this season. In addition to Giordano and Pietrzykoski, Kasey Collins also had a big day at the plate, going 2-3 and driving in one run.

Despite allowing four earned runs on eight hits in only four innings pitched, Hofstra starting pitcher Natalie Grubczak was saved by her team’s offense and got her first win of the season. 

The Pride continues their play at the George Mason Invitational later in the day when they take on the 3-3 Cornell University Big Red. Hofstra will conclude the tournament on Sunday, March 8, against George Mason University at 2:15 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics