CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Hofstra University Softball team continued action at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational on Saturday evening against Oklahoma State and dropped a 13-2 decision to the No. 20/17 ranked Cowgirls at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
 
Freshman third baseman Meghan Giordano knocked in both Hofstra runs, as she went 1-for-2 on the afternoon with a two-run double. Senior outfielder Lydia Witkowski and junior shortstop Kristin Hallam had the other two base knocks for the Pride, and Witkowski along with freshmen Amanda Maffucci and Jaycee Ruberti each drew one walk.
 
Hofstra got off to a great defensive start over Oklahoma State, retiring nine of the first 10 Cowgirl batters through the first three innings and did not allow a runner past first base during the stretch. In the bottom of the first, Hallam got things going with an infield single before senior Courtney Scarpato reached on an error that allowed both runners to advance on base. With two runners in scoring position, Giordano ripped a double to right center field, sending both baserunners home to gain a 2-0 advantage over the Cowgirls.
 
It wasn't until the fourth inning when Oklahoma State picked up the bats, as they plated six runs on six hits to gain a four-run edge over the Pride. Burns worked out of the jam, ending the inning on a foul out to first base. After Hofstra's next at bats, Scarpato relieved Burns on the rubber and picked up right where she left off this morning, sitting down three of four batters with two ground outs and a fly out.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, freshman Angelina Ioppolo reached on an error by the second baseman followed by Ruberti and Witkowski drawing back-to-back walks that loaded the bases and forced an Oklahoma State pitching change. However, Hofstra lined in to a double play and got caught stealing at home to end any threat of scoring. The Cowgirls took control in the sixth inning and added seven runs on seven hits to cement the final score.
 
Hofstra will close out the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational against Utah, tomorrow (February 17) with first pitch on Field 4 of the Eddie C. Moore Complex at 1:00 pm. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app, and live statistics will also be available.