Hempstead, NY - Anthony D'Onofrio hit his first career home run to highlight a four-run ninth inning but Hofstra's attempted rally fell short Friday afternoon in an 8-5 loss to Towson in the opening game of a Colonial Athletic Association series at University Field.

Hofstra fell to 6-23 overall and 1-6 in CAA action while the Tigers moved to 6-26 overall and 2-5 in the CAA.

Both teams took advantage of errors to score a run in the first. The Tigers did not record a hit as an error, wild pitch, an error, and a sacrifice fly brought in the opening run of the game. But Hofstra answered as Austin Gauthier singled with one out, stole second and third before coming in on a throwing error by Towson to tie the score.

Hofstra starter Jack Jett (0-2) cruised through the next three innings and at one point retired 11 in a row before running into trouble in the fifth. A one out single from Trey Martinez was followed by a walk to Richard Miller, the Tigers No. 9 batter. Leadoff hitter Javon Fields the doubled in a run ahead of a two-run single from Dirk Masters that made it a 4-1 Towson lead.

Jimmy Joyce came on in relief in the sixth and held the Tigers in check until the ninth when they scored four times. Once again, an error to start the inning led to Towson runs. Tom Flacco reached on a throwing error to start the inning and stole second. Martinez came through with an RBI single and after a walk and a balk put runners on second and third, the Tigers played small ball to get two more runs. Fields had an RBI infield single on a little chopper up the third base line and Masters knocked in his third run with a safety squeeze. Zach Piazza closed out the Towson scoring with a sacrifice fly.

But the Pride would not go quietly in the ninth. Friscia hit a leadoff double and after Rob Weissheier was hit by a pitch, Parker Quinn singled in a run. Two batters later, D'Onofrio ripped a drive over the left field fence for a three-run shot that made it 8-5. But that was all the Pride would get as Jake Pecilunas came on to retire the next two Hofstra batters and preserve the Towson win.

Jett allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits over five innings and struck out five. Joyce went the final four innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits with four strikeouts.  Seven Hofstra batters recorded one hit each.

Josh Seils (2-5) started and got the win for Towson, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 8-plus innings. He struck out a career-high eight batters in the game. John Cranston pitched one-third of an inning and allowed the home run to D'Onofrio before Pecilunas shut the door.

Masters had three RBIs on the day for Towson while Fields had two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored.

The teams continue the series Saturday at 1 p.m.

Notes:
-Hofstra had three doubles in the game, from Friscia, Weissheier, and pinch-hitter Sean Flaherty.
-Jett's five strikeouts were a season-best.
-D'Onofrio's three-RBIs were a season best.
-Austin Gauthier extended his hitting streak to six games.
-Hofstra is 35-58 all-time versus Towson.