SB: Florida Atlantic Cools Off Hofstra

3/13/2011 12:51:00 AM

Boca Raton, Fla. - Senior right fielder Kerri Croney had a double, triple and four RBI as the Florida Atlantic softball team broke the game open early and captured a 7-0 win over Hofstra on the second day of the FAU Invitational on Saturday.

The loss drops Hofstra's record to 9-8 on the year and 3-1 at the FAU Invitational, after it previously picked up wins over Michigan State, Purdue and Middle Tennessee State. Florida Atlantic improves to 11-10 on the year with the win.

The Owls struck for three runs in the bottom of the second off of Hofstra starter Erin Wade (Taunton, Mass.). Wade allowed a walk and a single to the first two batters, before bouncing back to get the next two outs. However, right fielder Kerri Croney came through with a two-out, two-run triple, then came home on a fielding error to make the score 3-0.

Florida Atlantic then added four more runs in the third inning on a pair of two-out, two run doubles from Kimberly Diaz and Croney. Wade retired the first two batters, but then surrendered two singles and a walk to load the bases. Diaz pinch hit and drove a ball down the line for two runs, and then Croney followed with a double to right to stretch the lead up to 7-0.

Owls pitcher Rose Gressley continued to cool off the Hofstra bats, allowing only two hits and one walk to get the shutout, while striking out five. Sophomore outfielders Rachael Senatore (Sparta, N.J.) and Tessa Ziemba (Wilmington, Del.) accounted for the Pride's hits. Hofstra's best chance to score came in the sixth, when it loaded the bases on an error and two walks, but sophomore left fielder Becca Bigler (Bainbridge, Pa.) grounded into a forceout.

Wade settled down after the third, allowing only one hit the rest of the way, and struck out eight, but took the loss to fall to 3-3 on the year.

Hofstra concludes play at the FAU Invitational tomorrow morning with a 9 a.m. game against Buffalo.

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