Bronx, N.Y. – Hofstra Softball took a comeback 3-2 win over local rival Fordham at Bahoshy Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Pride improved to 9-10 with the win. 

Senior Lacey Clark had a pair of doubles, an RBI and a run to help the Pride overcome an early 2-0 deficit. Freshman pitcher Sarah Cornell threw a complete game, finishing with six strikeouts.

The Rams (20-7), who ranked 35th in the first iteration NCAA Softball RPI released on Monday, got on the board first with a solo shot from Amy Van Hoven in the bottom of the first. Fordham then loaded the bases with one out, but freshman pitcher Sarah Cornell worked out of the jam, pitching two straight strikeouts.

The Pride allowed a lead-off double in the bottom of the second, but retired the next two batters, including a second strikeout for Rams' top hitter Jessica Hughes. Sydney Canessa's RBI single brought in another run, however, for a 2-0 Fordham lead.

Cornell (8-4) retired the side in order in the bottom of the third. Juniors Brielle Pietrafesa and Brittany Allocca both singled in the top of the fourth before Clark's hard-hit double to left field brought in Pietrafesa to pull a run back for Hofstra.

Sophomore Courtney Scarpato doubled to left field in the top of the fifth, sliding safely into second base. Freshman Kristin Hallam reached on an error as the second baseman bobbled the ball before Pietrafesa walked to load the bases. Junior Megan Patierno then put the ball in play, and the shortstop committed an error, allowing a run to score and tie the game.

Van Hoven singled and stole second in the bottom of the fifth with two outs. A walk put runners on first and second, but Cornell got Madison Shaw to ground out to get out of the inning unscathed.

Clark's second double game in the top of the sixth and advanced to third on Nikki Michalowski's sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch brought Clark home to give Hofstra a 3-2 lead.
The Rams loaded the bases once again in the bottom of the sixth with two outs, but a ground out allowed the Pride to take the 3-2 advantage in the seventh.

With runners on first and second and no outs for Fordham in the bottom of the seventh, the Pride worked out of the inning with a pair of pop-ups to Kristin Hallam at shortstop and a big strikeout from Cornell to get the final out to seal her eighth win of the season.

Madison Aughinbaugh started in the circle for the Rams, finishing with two strikeouts and one walk and allowing four hits in five innings. Taylor Stocks (2-1) entered the game in the sixth inning and allowed the winning run.

Hofstra opens its home and conference schedules this weekend, hosting No. 12 James Madison for a three-game series at Bill Edwards Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.