ATLANTA, Ga. – The Hofstra University softball team suffered two setbacks in a doubleheader series with Georgia Tech at Shirley Clements Mewborn Field on Saturday, March 2.
 
Junior Kristin Hallam and freshman Meghan Giordano each collected three hits on the day, while senior Courtney Scarpato and freshman Kasey Collins posted a pair of hits on the afternoon.
 
Game One: Georgia Tech 8, Hofstra 1
 
Freshman Mackenzie Suto went the distance in the circle during game one, allowing eight hits while striking out four batters over six innings of work. Six different Pride hitters notched base hits during the game, while Hallam collected the lone extra-base hit of the contest for Hostra with a double during the third inning.
 
Georgia Tech got on the board first with three runs during the top of the first inning, jumping ahead when Skye Webb singled down the left field line to plate two runs. The Yellow Jackets added a third run when Drew Puckett reached on a fielder's choice to plate the final run of the inning. The home squad added two more tallies during the second inning on two solo home runs to take a 5-0 advantage after two innings.
 
A bases loaded walk by Scarpato during the third inning plated Hofstra's only run of the contest, making it 5-1 and Suto stranded two runners on base during the bottom of the inning to keep the deficit at four runs. Georgia Tech added one run during the bottom of the fourth inning on a solo home run by Crosby Huckabay, and Huckabay sent another solo shot over the fence two innings later to give Georgia Tech a 7-1 lead through five innings. The Yellow Jackets tacked on an insurance run late to hold on for the 8-1 final during the opener.
 
Game Two: Georgia Tech 2, Hofstra 1
 
Freshman Madison Burns tossed a complete game during game two as well, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out three over six innings. Despite compiling seven hits to just three for Georgia Tech, the Pride were unable to deliver the key hit when needed, as they fell by the one-run final.
 
Hallam and Giordano led the way with two hits each during the game, with Giordano collecting a double and a solo home run and Hallam posting a double as well.
 
After stranding two runners on base during the first inning, the Yellow Jackets took advantage of a Hofstra miscue the following frame as a fielding error allowed Georgia Tech to plate two unearned runs to take a 2-0 advantage after two innings.
 
The Pride put one runner in scoring position during the top of the third, fourth, and fifth innings but could not plate a run. Giordano finally put the Pride on the scoreboard during the top of the sixth inning with a solo shot to center field, making it a 2-1 game and Burns retired the side in order during the bottom half of the inning to make it a one-run game heading into Hofsra's final at-bat.
 
The Pride could not rally in the final frame though, going down in order to fall by the 2-1 final.
 
Hofstra returns to the diamond tomorrow when the Pride wrap up the I-75 Challenge with a single game against Georgia State University. First pitch at the Robert E. Heck Softball Complex originally scheduled for 1 p.m. has been moved up to 9 a.m. due to possible inclement weather.