Hempstead, NY - John Rooney threw a complete game five-hitter and Austin Gauthier broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run single in the sixth inning as Hofstra downed league-leading Charleston, 7-1, in the opening game of a Colonial Athletic Association series at University Field Friday.

Hofstra improved to 15-15 overall and 5-8 in the CAA with the win, which snapped a six-game losing streak. The Cougars dropped to 27-12 overall and 9-4 in the CAA with their third straight loss.

The Cougars struck first, in the top of the first inning, as Luke Manzo reached on an error and came in to score on Luke Morgan's single up the middle.

After being held in check by Evan Sisk for the first five innings, the Pride broke through in the sixth. Tyler White started things off with a leadoff single. After moving to second on a passed ball, White went to third on Steven Foster's bunt single. Mikey Riesner's safety squeeze tied the game and sent Foster to second. Following an intentional walk to Vito Friscia and a ground out, Gauthier drove a hard single up the middle, past a diving Manzo to drive in the go ahead runs.

The Pride would touch up a pair of Charleston relievers for four runs in the eighth with Rob Weissheier delivering the big blow, a three-run double that closed out the scoring.

Rooney (6-0) allowed four singles and a double in his outing, which was his second complete game of the year. He walked one and struck out seven in a 114-pitch performance.

Sisk (7-3) lasted six innings and allowed three runs om five hits. He walked two and struck out five.

The teams continue the series Saturday at 1 p.m.

Notes:
-Rooney lowered his ERA to 0.97 after not allowing an earned run in the game.
-Friscia reached base in all four plate appearances as he was 3-3 with two runs and an RBI plus the intentional walk.
-Foster and Gauthier extended their on-base streaks to 14 games.
-Hofstra has won their last four home games against Charleston.