Hempstead, NY – Following more than a week off, the Hofstra University Baseball team returns to action Friday evening at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational when it takes on the University of Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida. The tournament continues Saturday and Sunday with the Pride taking on Central Michigan (12 p.m.) and Saint Peter's (4:30 p.m.) on Saturday at Osceola County Stadium, and Butler on Sunday (1 p.m.) at Sanford Stadium.

Hofstra is 1-3 on the year following a season-opening series at Incarnate Word. Brad Camarda picked up the Hofstra victory on the mound with six strong innings in a 3-2 victory. Andrew Mundy went the final three innings for the save. Rob Weissheier provided the offense with a three-run home run.

Pittsburgh is currently 3-3 on the season and has won two consecutive games. The Pride and Panthers have met on the diamond twice before, with the series tied at one game apiece. Hofstra won, 7-2, in a neutral site game in Florida during the 1995 season and the Panthers picked up a 3-2 win in Florida in 1996.

Central Michigan enters Saturday's game with a 6-2 record and a six-game winning streak. This will be the first meeting between the two schools on the baseball diamond.

The Peacocks of Saint Peter's are 0-3 on the season and will face Butler Friday night before meeting the Pride on Saturday. Hofstra holds a 9-2 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams. The last meeting between Hofstra and Saint Peter's came during the 2016 season and was won by the Pride, 11-4. Vito Friscia went 1-3 with a home run, two walks, and two runs scored. Andrew Mundy threw 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief with three strikeouts.

Butler enters the RussMatt Invitational with a 2-4 record and will play three times before meeting the Pride on Sunday. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Pride and the Bulldogs.

Hofstra will start a rotation of Michael James (vs. Pittsburgh), Camarda (vs. Central Michigan), Ryan Rue (vs. Saint Peter's), and Mark Faello (vs. Butler).

There will be live statistics for the game against Pittsburgh. There is no video or audio for any of the four games.

After returning from Florida, the Pride is slated to play its home opener on Thursday when they host Iona at 3 p.m. Hofstra will then play Fordham and Iona at Fordham on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.