BB: Hofstra Hosts CAA-Leading Charleston This Weekend

Hempstead, NY - Following a 14-4 victory over Manhattan Wednesday, the Hofstra Baseball team returns to action when it hosts Colonial Athletic Association-leading College of Charleston in a three-game series beginning Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. Game times for Saturday and Sunday are 1 p.m.

The Pride's offense came alive in the win over the Jaspers, collecting 15 hits (the second-highest single game total this season). David Leiderman had three hits, including a grand slam home run, and drove in six runs. Steven Foster also had three hits, while Max Dolente, Brad Witkowski and Mat Annunziata had two hits each for the Pride (9-24, 1-7). Dolente drove in three runs with a two-run double and a solo home run, while Witkowski scored four times. The Pride received solid pitching performances, with Bowie Matteson, Teddy Cillis, Chris Bonk, Dave Jesch and Andrew Mundy turning in scoreless outings.

The Cougars enter the weekend series with a record of 21-11-1 and a 5-1 mark in the CAA. Charleston is tied with Towson for the top spot in the league standings. Charleston is also ranked No. 11 in the latest baseball RPI rankings. The Cougars are coming off a 5-3 loss at No. 19 Coastal Carolina on Wednesday. Last weekend, Charleston went 1-1-1 against No. 12 UC Santa Barbara. Jake Maziar leads the Charleston offense with a .320 average and has added 26 RBIs. Dupree Hart is batting .309 with 10 doubles and 20 RBIs. Bradley Jones has a team-best seven home runs and 29 RBIs to go along with a .296 average. The pitching trio of Nathan Helvey, Bailey Ober and Eric Bauer has combined to go 9-4. Carter Love holds down the backend of the bullpen with a 2-1 record and six saves.

Hofstra is 1-10 all-time versus Charleston. The Pride defeated Charleston, 4-2, in Hempstead on May 10, 2014. Hofstra had 10 hits off of Bauer in 6 2/3 innings. Witkowski had two hits and a walk and Leiderman drove in one of Hofstra's four runs. David D'Errico (5 innings, two runs) and Brett Schreiber (four innings, seven strikeouts) combined for the victory on the mound.

Pitching matchups for the series are as follows:
Friday: Nathan Helvey (4-3, 3.35) vs. Chris Weiss (1-3, 6.81)
Saturday: Bailey Ober (3-1, 3.20) vs. John Rooney (1-4, 4.82)
Sunday: Eric Bauer (2-0, 1.38) vs. Bowie Matteson (3-3, 3.35)

Live statistics and Pride Productions live audio are available for all three games of the series. Click the links above or visit the schedule page on GoHofstra.com.

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Players Mentioned

#25 Mat Annunziata: OF; 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R

#28 Chris Bonk: P; 6' 5"; Senior; R/R

#20 Max Dolente: IF; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R

#10 Steven Foster: OF; 5' 11"; Sophomore; L/R

#22 Dave Jesch: P; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#24 David Leiderman: IF; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#29 Bowie Matteson: P; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#12 Chris Weiss: P; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#3 Brad Witkowski: IF; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

#16 Teddy Cillis: OF/P; 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/L

Players Mentioned

#25 Mat Annunziata
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#28 Chris Bonk
: 6' 5"; Senior; R/R
: P

#20 Max Dolente
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R
: IF

#10 Steven Foster
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#22 Dave Jesch
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: P

#24 David Leiderman
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: IF

#29 Bowie Matteson
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: P

#12 Chris Weiss
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#3 Brad Witkowski
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#16 Teddy Cillis
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/L
: OF/P