CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Hofstra University softball team took on a very tough No. 3/3 Oklahoma squad at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational on Saturday morning, falling to the Sooners by a score of 17-3 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

The Pride dropped to 0-2 on the season while the Sooners improved to 9-1 overall.

Hofstra tallied two total hits, highlighted by a three-run blast by freshman Meghan Giordano in the bottom of the first inning. Giordano took Giselle Juarez, Oklahoma's ace pitcher and a 2019 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List honoree, deep over the center field fence on an 0-2 count to plate senior Lydia Witkowski and junior Kristin Hallam. Earlier that inning, Witkowski was hit by a pitch and Hallam singled through the right side to reach base.
 
Prior to Giordano's home run, Oklahoma plated four runs in the top of the first inning before Giordano cut the deficit to just one with her first career home run. The Sooners went on to score 11 runs in the top of the second inning to put things out of reach for the Pride early.
 
After Hofstra was retired in order in the bottom of the second, Senior Courtney Scarpato entered the circle in relief and allowed just one Oklahoma player to reach base during the third inning. Scarpato continued to shut the Sooners down in to the top of the fourth inning, as she retired the side in order with a fly out and two ground outs. Oklahoma would go on to score two more runs in the top of the fifth to finalize the score.
 
Freshman Mackenzie Suto suffered the loss in the circle, while Mariah Lopez earned the win for the Sooners, improving to 5-0 this year. 

Hofstra will return to the field this afternoon against No. 20/17 Oklahoma State. First pitch against the Cowgirls on Field 3 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex is set for 4:00 pm. Live stats will be available for the game.