Bronx, N.Y. – The Hofstra Softball team opened Colonial Athletic Association play with a win, edging UNCW, 3-2, at Fordham's Bahoshy Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pride (15-7, 1-0 CAA) got two hits each from sophomore Kristin Hallam and senior Brielle Pietrafesa, with Pietrafesa hitting the game-deciding home run.
 
The Seahawks (7-15, 0-1 CAA) got on the board first, with Hannah Adamcyzk launching her first of four hits on the day over the left-field fence in the top of the first.
 
Hofstra answered in the bottom of the inning, with Hallam tripling to leadoff and stealing home to knot the score at one.
 
Sophomore pitcher Sarah Cornell fanned four straight between the second and third to keep UNCW from regaining the lead.
 
After Hallam's second hit of the day, a single to left field, got her on base in the bottom of the fifth, Pietrafesa sent a blast to right field to give the Pride a 3-1 lead.
 
The Seahawks tried to mount a rally in the top of the seventh, scoring a run on a hit from Kelsey Bryan to make it a one-run game, but the Pride escaped with the win.
 
The two teams will close the three-game series on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. at Fordham's Bahoshy Field.
 
Notes:
-Pietrafesa has homered in three straight games and in four of her last five.
-Hallam has nine hits in her past four games.
-Cornell threw 12 strikeouts, marking her fifth game with double-digit Ks this season.
-Hofstra has won 11 of its past 13 CAA openers.