Shortstop Josh Stern (Millwood, NY) slammed a home run, his third of the season, and a triple en route to a four-RBI day as Hofstra defeated Stony Brook, 11-6, Wednesday afternoon at University Field. Stern (pictured) also scored two runs as the Pride improves to 14-17 overall. Stony Brook falls to 12-17 with the loss.
Hofstra jumped out to a 7-0 lead after three innings. Stern gave Hofstra a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run in the second, scoring Mike Walsh (Norfolk, MA). Catcher Steve Oliveri (Huntington Station, NY), who was 2-for-3, followed with a single up the middle and came around to score on left fielder Eric Balson's (Staten Island, NY) triple to right. Balson later scored on a wild pitch. In the third inning, Stern belted his second triple of the season to left field, scoring Walsh, who singled, and designated hitter George Athanasopoulos (Manorville, NY), who had doubled to left center.
Stony Brook would score in every inning from the fourth through the seventh to close within 7-6. The Seawolves put up three runs in the fifth as shortstop Matt Devins smacked a three-run homer to left center off Pride reliever Pat Rogers (Centereach, NY) that brought third baseman Chris DiBiaso, who doubled, and centerfielder Andrew Larsen, who reached on an error, home with him. The Seawolves added a run in the sixth and a run in the seventh, but could not catch up.
The Pride scored four more runs over the seventh and eighth innings to extend the lead. In the seventh, Athanasopoulos singled up the middle, and was lifted for pinch-runner Steve Conley (Flushing, NY). Conley was then brought home on a Walsh double to right center.
In addition to Stern and Oliveri, Balson, Walsh, Athanasopoulos and centerfielder Josh Stewart (Bloomsburg, PA) each contributed two hits. Balson added three RBIs. Hofstra starter Charlie Frago (Cromwell, CT), the first of six Hofstra pitchers, allowed one run on two hit in four innings and took a no-decision. Freshman Anthony Sarno (Avenel, NJ) (2-0) picks up the win in relief after pitching one inning, allowing one hit and an unearned run.
For Stony Brook, Devins went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Starter Jonathan Kalkau (0-2) came away with the loss, allowing four runs on four hits.
The Hofstra win marked the first time in three years that the Pride has defeated Stony Brook. The two teams will meet again next week at Stony Brook.
The Pride is next in action this Friday, April 15, when it will head to Fairfax, VA, to take on CAA foe George Mason at 3 p.m. at Hap Spuhler Field. Stony Brook will face Binghamton in America East Conference action this weekend.
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