Raleigh, NC -- Hofstra posted leads at two different junctures in Game 1 of a doubleheader against NC State but couldn't hang on, dropping an 11-4 decision to the Wolfpack before losing, 15-2, in the nightcap at Doak Field.

Senior shortstop Chris Mentrasti (Hartsdale, NY) recorded an RBI in both games and senior rightfielder Mark Stuckless (Kanata, Ontario) registered two multi-hit games, though it wasn't enough as the Pride fell to 0-6 on the season. Domonique Rodgers and Drew Martin each had a three-RBI evening in the first game while Kyle Wilson duplicated that feat in the second game for NC State, which has won five in a row to improve to 5-2.

Sophomore Scott A'Hara (Downingtown, PA) ignited Hofstra's third-inning rally in the opener, reaching on an infield single to the hole at short and advancing to second on a throwing error. Adam Perlo (Fairport, NY) laced a bloop single to right that put runners on the corners and Stuckless followed with a RBI single to break open the scoring. Following a walk, Wolfpack starter Jimmy Gillheeney walked Mentrasti to force in a run and build a 2-0 Hofstra lead.

But Pride starter Rob Kumbatovic (Hillsboro, NJ) couldn't sustain his hot start. After blanking NC State across the first three innings, Drew Poulk hit a leadoff homer to left-center in the fourth. Rodgers followed two consecutive Wolfpack hits with a RBI ground out to knot up the score.

Stuckless put Hofstra back on top in the fifth, pulling the ball to right for a single and stealing second. That hustle resulted in a run when a throwing error allowed him to advance 180 feet, giving the Pride a 3-2 lead.

NC State ensured that advantage was short lived.  Wade Moore hit a leadoff double and Wilson followed with an opposite-field home run for a 4-3 Wolfpack lead that would be the difference. The home team, which qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2008, added three more runs in the sixth and four in the eighth to support Gillheeney, who improved to 2-0 after allowing six hits in seven innings.

Kumbatovic, who nearly beat sixth-ranked Florida State in his first start of 2009 with a complete game, three-run effort, fell to 0-2. The right-hander allowed four runs in five innings.

With heavy rained expected to bombard North Carolina tomorrow, the teams made Friday into a doubleheader and the Wolfpack raced to an early lead in Game 2. Martin added a two-run double and Moore followed with a RBI single to make it 3-0 in the second. Pride starter Bobby Neelon (Needville, TX) couldn't settle down in the third when NC State scored four runs on four hits and took advantage of a fielding error and a wild pitch, extending the lead to 7-0.

Freshman Jim Best (Medford, NJ) gave Hofstra bright spot in the eighth. His first collegiate RBI brought in junior Matt Prokopowicz (Massapequa, NY) to end the shutout bid. Mentrasti added a run-scoring single in the ninth, giving him hits in 17 of his past 18 games dating back to last season. Neelon fell to 0-2, giving up seven runs in three innings.

Should the rain hold off, the Pride will be back on the field Saturday at noon instead of its originally scheduled time of 2 p.m. That game will not be made up if rained out. Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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