HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – A late four-run rally by Delaware in the fifth and sixth innings was too much for the Hofstra University softball team to overcome in a Colonial Athletic Association single game on Sunday, where the Pride dropped the deciding game to the Blue Hens, 4-3. Hofstra fell to 15-15 on the season and 3-3 in the CAA while Delaware improved to 14-17 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
It was a long day for both teams, as the game started earlier than scheduled due to forecasted rain in Hempstead. At the conclusion of the first inning, heavy rain picked up, forcing a seven-hour rain delay. Play resumed at approximately 6:30 p.m. with much cooler and windier conditions.
Eight different players had at least one hit, but freshman
Kasey Collins was the only Pride player to record two, while freshman
Angelina Ioppolo, freshman
Jaycee Ruberti, and freshman
Madison McKevitt each tallied one RBI.
Prior to the extended rain delay, Delaware loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first, but Burns fired a 10-pitch strikeout and forced a line-out to leave all three runners on base. In the bottom half of the frame, Hofstra plated two runs when Ioppolo and Ruberti posted back-to-back two-out singles for the early advantage.
Coming back from the stoppage, both teams went scoreless through the second and third innings, but after Delaware went down in order to start the top of the fourth, Hofstra added a third run off of a sacrifice fly by McKevitt. Delaware responded in a big way, leveling the score at three with a one-run double and two-RBI single. One more run was added by the Blue Hens in the sixth which held up the remainder of the way, despite Hofstra leaving four runners on base during the final two innings.
Freshman
Madison Burns (9-8) suffered the loss on the mound, pitching all seven innings while striking out four.
Hofstra will take another break from CAA action for a mid-week contest against the Stony Brook Seawolves, with the game coined as the
Long Island Rivalry presented by the Greene Turtle. First pitch at Bill Edwards Stadium is set for 3 p.m.
NOTES:
-Hofstra continues to lead the all-time series against Delaware, 71-21. The Pride's 71 wins match the most wins against a single opponent.
-
Kasey Collins recorded her 12
th multiple hit game of the season
-Hofstra has now scored first 18 times this season and is 13-6 when scoring first.