Brooklyn, N.Y. –Sophomore Maggie Hawkins smashed a grand slam and junior Taylor Pirone earned her second complete game victory in as many days to lift Hofstra to a 12-0 victory over LIU Brooklyn in a non-conference game on Thursday afternoon at LIU Field.
Pirone, who held Lehigh to three runs in six innings in the previous day, gave up just four hits and struck out three in the five-inning game as Hofstra improved to 29-11. Pirone (14-5) tossed her second shutout this season and lowered her ERA to a Pride-leading 1.50. The Blackbirds fell to 16-29.
Sophomore designated player Kim Smith drove in four runs and Hofstra scored six runs against three LIU pitchers in the fourth to set up the run-rule shortened game. Junior Erin Trippi, sophomore Chloe Fitzgerald and seniors Rachael Senatore and Becca Bigler all scored two runs.
The Pride extended its winning streak to seven dating to last week's win over LSU. The stretch is the second-longest winning streak of the season, trailing only Hofstra's eight-game run from Feb. 22-March 2 as the squad started the season 9-1.
Hofstra jumped on LIU starter Shelby Procter for four runs in the opening inning. Senatore started the game with a single through the left side and an error and a single loaded the bases. Bigler drew a full-count walk for the game-opening run and Smith drilled an opposite-field two-run single. Freshman Lacey Clark lofted a sacrifice fly to left to cap the rally and stake Pirone to a 4-0 lead.
Sophomore Caryn Bailey continued her hot hitting by pulling consecutive singles to right field in her first two at-bats, including a leadoff hit in the fourth that chased Procter (11-15) after she allowed six hits in total. Senatore singled and Fitzgerald walked to bring up Hawkins, who hit a grand slam over the temporary fencing in right-center.
Hawkins' home run was her team-leading ninth of the season. Her long ball of LIU reliever Cassie Vondrak marked Hofstra's second grand slam in as many days (Trippi did it against Lehigh on Wednesday). Hawkins has 41 RBIs and is the first Hofstra player to crack the 40-RBI plateau this season.
Smith helped Hofstra extend its cushion with the run rule differential already reached by pulling a two-run double as Hofstra scored six total runs against LIU in the fourth for a 10-0 lead. The game marked the final regular season road contest of the year for the Pride. Hofstra is 8-6 in road contests.
Senior Ashley Ainbinder walked and scored and sophomore Alyssa Cuzzola added a single and scored Hofstra's final in the fifth to provide the final margin.
Pirone induced nine ground ball outs in improving Hofstra's record to 18-8 in the all-time series against the Blackbirds.
Hofstra will have a bye from Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend and will next be in action on Tuesday with a home doubleheader versus CCSU starting at 4 p.m.
