Tallahasse, Fla. – The Hofstra Softball team concluded the Unconquered Invitational with a narrow 3-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday morning at Florida State's Seminole Softball Complex.
The Pride fell to 10-7 on the season after going 2-3 on the weekend in a very competitive tournament field that included a pair of nationally ranked teams. The Eagles improved to 14-4 after entering the weekend unbeaten.
Hofstra jumped ahead, 1-0, in the bottom of the first, with
Sarah Edwards hitting an RBI single to drive in sophomore
Kristin Hallam, who had singled to lead off and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
A three-run second inning, sparked by a one-out solo home run from Brittany McGuire, put the Eagles ahead, 3-1.
Hallam and senior
Brittany Allocca singled and Edwards walked to load the bases in the top of the third, but FGCU escaped the inning unscathed.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, freshman
Devyn Losco pinch-hit a triple to left field before senior
Michaela Transue's bunt single brought her home to make it a one-run game, but Hofstra couldn't find the equalizer in the seventh.
Sophomore pitcher
Sarah Cornell dropped to 5-4 on the season. Freshman
Sophie Dandola closed out the game, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four to keep the Pride within striking distance.
The Pride will take a nine-day hiatus before opening its home schedule, hosting Fordham at 3 p.m. on March 13 at Bill Edwards Stadium.
Notes:
-Edwards finished 2-for-3 with a walk.
-Losco's triple was her first collegiate hit.
-Hofstra leads the all-time series with Florida Gulf Coast, 4-3.
