Wilmington, NC - Casey Golden drove in four runs, three on a second inning home run, and Mat Batts struck out eight batters over seven innings to lead UNCW past the Pride, 9-2, Friday night at Brooks Field.

The Seahawks improved to 17-16 overall and 3-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Hofstra fell to 11-12 on the season and 1-3 in the CAA.

The Seahawks took advantage of Hofstra starter Nick Kozlowski's wildness in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Golden led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a groundout. After recording a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Hofstra elected to walk UNCW's top hitter Corey Dick. Luke Dunlap then walked to load the bases and Rob Thorburn walked to force in Golden with the first run.

Hofstra tied the score in the top of the second as Robbie Cafiero singled with one out and went to second on a two-out single by Mike Friel. The pair then executed a double steal and the throw to third sailed into left field allowing Cafiero to score.

But the tie was short-lived as UNCW went ahead to stay in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back walks to Steve Linkous and Drew Farber to start the inning brought Golden to the plate and the centerfielder homered to left field for a 4-1 UNCW advantage.

The Seahawks would tack on single runs in the fourth and fifth and then three more in the seventh. Hofstra scored once in the fifth as TJ singled home Kenny Jackson, who had singled earlier in the inning.

Bats allowed eight hits and one walk over seven innings to go along with his eight strikeouts to improve to 2-2 on the year. Jared Gesell pitched the final two innings for the Seahawks.

Kozlowski fell to 5-2 on the season. The junior allowed just one hit, but walked seven in three innings and allowed five runs (four earned).

The Pride outhit the Seahawks, 9-5, as Ehrsam, Cafiero and Friel contributed two hits each.

The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m.