Hempstead, NY – Sophomore second baseman Tori Rocha drilled a home run to right center for the game's only run in the top of the third inning as the Hofstra Softball team advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship game with a 1-0 victory over Georgia State on Friday afternoon at Hofstra Softball Stadium.
With the win, the Pride improves to 37-13 overall and will next be in action at noon on Saturday. Their opponent in the title game will be determined by the outcome of the next two contests in the CAA Tournament.
Hofstra heads to the title tilt with momentum having won 16 straight games and 35 of the last 37 overall.
Hofstra got another sensational pitching performance out of junior pitcher Olivia Galati as the West Babylon, New York native went the distance and allowed just three hits, while striking out 14. She improved her record this season to 29-5. Galati tied her own program record, established last season, with her 29th win of the season. In addition, Galati threw another shutout, her 18th of the season (one combined) and she has not allowed an earned run since a 4-1 victory over Towson on April 28. Galati had a stretch from the first through the third inning where she struck out seven straight GSU batters, and her 14 strikeouts on the day ties the CAA record for strikeouts in a game (set by Elizabeth Hyman of Georgia State in 2006).
Georgia State fell to 37-17 with the loss and will return to the field at 5 p.m. today against the winner of the 2:30 p.m. elimination game between James Madison and Delaware.
Alana Thomas was equally as impressive in the circle for Georgia State as she nearly matched Galati, going the distance and allowing only three hits. She fell to 11-7 with the loss.
Thomas retired the first seven Hofstra batters to start the game before Rocha came up in the third inning. The Rehoboth, Massachusetts native then broke the tie and got the Pride its first hit of the game as she sent the ball over the fence to the right of the scoreboard. It was her second home run of the 2012 campaign.
Hofstra looked poised to add to its lead that inning as the Pride put two runners on after the Rocha home run but Galati's sharp liner to second was caught by Georgia State to end the inning.
The Pride threatened in the fourth inning as well as senior third baseman Krista Thorn walked with one out and moved to second on a single from freshman designated player Erin Trippi. Hofstra was unable to tack on an insurance run in that inning as the next two batters were retired by Thomas.
Hofstra would also threaten in the fifth inning before Georgia State had its best chance of the day in the fifth.
With one out, GSU left fielder Ashley Christy singled to center field to start the possible rally. Right fielder Audrey Mason followed with a fielder's choice, but Hofstra was unable to get Christy at second base as she beat the throw. Galati would settle down, though, as she struck out the next two Georgia State batters to end the inning.
Each team would leave a runner on in the sixth inning before the game headed to the final inning with the Pride ahead 1-0.
With two outs, junior shortstop Becca Bigler singled to left but Hofstra was unable to bring her home sending the game to the bottom of the seventh and Georgia State's final chance at the plate.
As she had been all afternoon, Galati was masterful in the final inning as she struck out all three Georgia State batters to end the game and send Hofstra to the championship game.
The Pride will be aiming for its ninth conference tournament championship in 11 years since joining the league.
Three different players had one hit apiece for the Panthers as shortstop Brenna Morrissey, first baseman Lauren Coleman and Christy reached base for GSU.
