Hempstead, NY - Chris Kalica scattered eight hits and allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings and the Red Storm used a pair of big innings to post a 12-4 victory over Hofstra Tuesday afternoon at University Field.
St. John's won for the 11th consecutive game and improved to 14-10 on the year. Hofstra slips to 7-9 on the season.
The Pride opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with no outs before Eric Ferguson scored on a double play grounder off the bat of Brian MacDonald.
Hofstra starter Graham Tebbit was cruising through the first 3 2/3 innings before a two-out error led to two runs in the fourth. After Zach Lauricella reached on the error, Michael Donadio tripled to right center to tie the score and two batters later came in on a wild pitch to give the Red Storm the 2-1 lead.
St. John's would pull away in the fifth with four runs, helped by a pair of Pride errors in the frame. Robbie Knightes had a two-run double, while Lauricella added an RBI single.
The Pride would pull within three with a, two-out, two-run rally in the sixth inning. Kenny Jackson started things with a double and Robbie Cafiero followed with a walk. David Leiderman drove home Jackson with a single. After Alex Katz relieved Kalica, the Pride executed a double steal to put runners on second and third and Mike Friel legged out an infield single to drive in the Pride's third run.
The teams exchanged runs in the seventh with Donadio tripling for the second time and then coming in on a wild pitch for St. John's. The Pride's run came on a Jackson groundout with the bases loaded and one out to keep Hofstra within three at 7-4.
But a five-run ninth gave the Red Storm even more breathing room as they took the eight-run victory. Robert Wayman had a three-run double in the inning.
Kalica improved to 4-1 on the season while Tebbit saw his record even at 1-1. The senior allowed three hits, four walks and two unearned runs.
Friel led the Pride offense with a 3-4 day, while Leiderman added two hits on the afternoon.
Hofstra committed a season-high five errors, used eight pitchers and left 10 runners on base in the contest.
Hofstra was scheduled to be in action Wednesday at Marist, but that game has been postponed due to the weather. A makeup date has not been announced. The Pride will next be in action Friday when the team opens Colonial Athletic Association play against defending champion Towson in Maryland.
