The Hofstra baseball team avoided the series sweep on the road against the James Madison University Dukes with a 10-5 win Sunday. Hofstra held the lead all day after scoring six runs in the first inning, highlighted by two-run home runs by Vito Friscia and Tyler White.
James Madison started off hot as well, putting up three runs in the first inning. Kyle Novak hit an RBI double before Brady Harju’s two-run single cut the lead in half. The Dukes scored two more in the second on RBI singles from Novak and Matt Dipasupil.
From the third to the sixth, however, only one run was scored in the game when Austin Gauthier hit an RBI single in the fourth for Hofstra to make it 7-5. Both team’s starters had short outings. The Dukes’ starter Joe Williams didn’t get out of the first inning and Pride starter Steven Boscia lasted an inning and two-thirds.
The Dukes had overall solid relief from the bullpen. Dan Goggin allowed two earned runs to the Pride in 2.1 innings of work. Afterward, the Dukes bullpen allowed just one earned run in six innings. However, two unearned runs scored in the seventh for Hofstra made it 10-5 after Ryan Morash reached on an error and Vinnie Costello scored on a wild pitch.
The Pride combined for 7.1 shutout innings of relief. Jack Anderson threw 4.2 innings with five strikeouts in relief of Boscia. The Dukes’ best chance to score off Hofstra’s bullpen came in the seventh when they had runners on first and second with one out. Seamus Brazill came in for Anderson and struck out Harry Brown. After a walk to Carson Bell, Brazill struck out Trevon Dabney. Brazill struck out five in 2.2 innings.
Everyone in Hofstra’s starting lineup reached base safely. White and Gauthier led the team with two RBIs. Four other players recorded an RBI. Novak and Dipasupil led James Madison with three hits. Novak and Barju both drove in two runs and Dipasupil added an RBI of his own.
Anderson earned the win and Williams earned the loss. The Pride improve to 6-9 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play and 13-26 overall. The Dukes fall to 6-9 in conference matchups and 25-19 overall.
Because of the series wins over Hofstra, James Madison and Towson have the tie-breaker in a potential playoff scenario. Hofstra is currently tied with both teams as well as Delaware with 6-9 records.
The Pride’s next game will be against the first-place Elon Phoenix on Friday, May 3, at University Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Image Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
