Hempstead, N.Y. – The Hofstra Softball team extended its win streak to eight games, picking up a 5-2 victory over non-conference opponent Connecticut on Tuesday afternoon at Bill Edwards Stadium.
 
Senior Megan Patierno's third home run in as many games proved to be the difference-maker as the Pride improved to 18-7 on the season and the Huskies dropped to 13-20.
 
Hofstra got on the board first with senior Sarah Edwards hitting an RBI single to bring home classmate Brielle Pietrafesa, who had reached on an error and stolen second.
 
UConn pulled ahead in the top of the second with a Carli Cutler double bringing in a pair of runs. The Huskies threatened to push the lead in the third, loading the bases but sophomore pitcher Sarah Cornell worked out of the jam.
 
After sophomore Kristin Hallam advanced to third on an error after laying down a one-out bunt-single in the bottom of the third, Pietrafesa's single to left field knotted the game at two. Patierno then homered to lead off in the bottom of the fourth and give the Pride the lead for good. Redshirt-senior Michaela Transue singled to put runners on first and second later in the inning before a sacrifice bunt from Hallam drove in another run.
 
Freshman pitcher Sophie Dandola entered in the top of the fifth to close out the game, and Hallam hit an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to seal the 5-2 victory.

The Pride is back in action on Wednesday, hosting Fordham at 3 p.m. at BIll Edwards Stadium.
 
Notes:
-Hofstra has outscored its opponents, 53-14, over its eight-game win streak.
-The Pride has also hit 15 home runs over that span.
-Patierno has 11 RBIs in her past six games.
-Hofstra increased its lead in the all-time series with UConn to 26-18.