Hempstead, N.Y.— Sophomore outfielder Chloe Fitzgerald went a combined 7-for-8 with three runs scored to power Hofstra to a doubleheader sweep versus Delaware State in non-conference matchups on Wednesday at Hofstra Softball Stadium.
The Pride posted a 7-2 win in the opener and an 8-1 victory in the nightcap to improve to 16-8 overall. Hofstra registered a combined 25 base hits, including 15 in the second game as Delaware State fell to 17-10.
Sophomore third baseman Kim Smith notched multi-hit games in both ends, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the opener and 2-for-3 with another run scored to complete the sweep. Juniors Morgan Lashley and Taylor Pirone both pitched complete games to help the Pride improve to 4-0 at home.
Junior catcher Erin Trippi drove in five total runs, including a three-run home run in the second game.
Hofstra erased a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first in the opener when sophomore Maggie Hawkins lined a RBI single up the middle and senior Tori Rocha walked to force in a run. Trippi put Hofstra ahead for a good in the second with a two-run single off Delaware State starter Rachel Meagley (3-3).
Fitzgerald, who hit a triple in both games, delivered her first three-base hit in the fifth over center fielder Jessica Madrid's head to score Smith. Smith then belted her first home run of the season with a two-run shot to left in the sixth for insurance runs.
Lashley made the support stand up by striking out eight in seven innings. She threw 74 of her 99 pitches for strikes for her 12th complete game in 15 starts. Lashley improved to 11-3 and has a 1.86 ERA on the season.
The Pride broke a 1-all deadlock in the second game by scoring seven runs in the fourth with Trippi's fourth home run of the season providing key insurance runs against Hornets' right-hander Vanessa Ciocatto (6-4).
Ciocatto retired the fourth inning leadoff batter before eight consecutive Hofstra players reached safely. Freshman Lacey Clark picked up what proved to be the game-winning RBI with a solo shot to left that marked her second career long ball. Back-to-back singles from senior Ashley Ainbinder and Smith set up senior Rachael Senatore's RBI single through the right side.
Fitzgerald continued her torrid hitting by driving Ciocatto's offering to the opposite field for a run-scoring single. Following an infield single, Trippi crushed her fourth home run of the campaign to left to chase Ciocatto in favor of Tara Tursellino.
Fitzgerald tripled and scored on Hawkins' RBI double in the third to open the scoring before Sandy Hawthorne tied the game for the Hornets on her solo home run to right in the top of the fourth. Hawthorne's home run was the second of her season.
But Pirone would not allow another run after that in improving to 5-3. The right-hander struck out three and allowed just five hits in lowering her team-leading ERA to 1.31.
Hofstra will resume Colonial Athletic Association play with Saturday's doubleheader versus UNCW at home. Game time for the opener is set for 2 p.m. The finale of the three-game set will be Sunday at noon.
