THE FIRST PITCH
The Hofstra softball team (19-23, 6-9 CAA) is gearing up for a very important road series against the UNCW Seahawks (24-24, 6-9 CAA) that is set to take place on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. The doubleheader against the Seahawks will begin at noon on Saturday and a single game will follow, also at noon.
 
Hofstra is entering the contest after dropping a three-game series to Towson, two games to one. The Pride opened up the series with a come-from-behind walk-off victory over the Tigers (9-8) before falling in the doubleheader, 12-8 and 4-3 in eight innings. UNCW most recently played a single game against in-state rival North Carolina, but fell to the Tar Heels, 3-0. UNCW's last series came against Delaware where the Seahawks won the series, 2-1.
 
GETCHA' TICKETS!
Tickets are available for purchase in advance via the UNCW Seahawks website and are also available for purchase on game day. The link to purchase tickets in advance can be found at the top of this page and on the Hofstra Softball schedule page. Tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for children. The ticket office will open 90 minutes prior to the first game each day and tickets are good for all games played on the day of purchase.

HOW TO WATCH
There will be live video available courtesy of the UNCW Seahawk Digital Network. In addition, live stats will also be available. Links to both of the above can be found at the top of this page and on the Hofstra softball schedule page.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Hofstra has dominated UNCW throughout the series history, as the Pride has posted a 43-4 (.915) record against the Seahawks in a series that dates back to the 1993 season. Hofstra has swept the last two series against UNCW and is on a six-game winning streak against the Seahawks and has also won 25 of the last 26 meetings.  
 
LAST SEASON AGAINST UNCW
During the regular season, Hofstra swept the series, 3-0. The Pride opened up with a close 3-2 single game victory, before earning two mercy rule victories in the doubleheader, 14-1 and 8-0.
 
ABOUT HOFSTRA
Over the last two weeks, Hofstra has been getting most of its offensive production from the middle of the order, including Alexis Goeke, Meghan Giordano, and Courtney Scarpato. Goeke, the designated player, has really stepped up at the plate as of late and has been the top hitter for the Pride for two-straight weeks. Over the last seven games, Goeke has hit .500 with two doubles, three home runs and five walks, helping her to a team-best 1.050 slugging percentage and .615 on base percentage. In addition, Goeke has tallied nine RBI during the stretch while also scoring four runs.
 
Freshman Meghan Giordano has also been hot at the dish during the last two weeks, hitting .385 with five doubles and one long ball. Giordano has also tallied 15 RBI during the last seven games, an average of 2.1 per game. With that, Giordano has made an enormous jump in the national rankings, moving from 37th in the nation to 13th with 1.17 RBI per game, only 0.3 RBI behind first place.
 
Continuing to make moves on the base paths will be the speedy 1-2 batters in the order, Kristin Hallam and Kasey Collins, who have stolen 10 of their last 11 bases successfully. Hallam, who has gone 7-for-7 in stolen bases during her last seven games, recently set a program record for stolen bags in a single season with 27. She now has 28 on the year.  

Pitchers Madison Burns (12-11) and Mackenzie Suto (6-11) will look to gain additional confidence this weekend against a UNCW team that ranks last in team batting average and on base percentage in the CAA. The Seahawks also strike out more times per game than any other team in the league (6.1 strikeouts per game) which will be a major advantage to the freshman pitching duo.
 
ABOUT UNCW 
The Seahawks hit just .235 collectively while recording an on base percentage of .341. Carson Shaner is the only player on the roster batting over .300, as she hits .311 with six home runs and 20 RBI, which is in a three-way tie for the third-most on the team. Jada Santiago, the current CAA Rookie of the Week, is second on the team in batting average (.283) and has also driven in 21 runs this season, while Janel Gamache paces the team with 27 runs batted in. Dominique Travers is one of the Seahawks with 20 RBI this season, also leading the squad with 10 home runs.  
 
Haley Lenderman is UNCW's ace inside the circle, as she has compiled a 2.73 record with an ERA of 2.73 through 118.0 innings pitched and 65 strikeouts. Hofstra will also likely see Rylee Pate in the circle, who has started 18 games for UNCW this year with 92.0 innings pitched and an ERA of 3.65.
 
UP NEXT
Hofstra will close out the regular season with a three-game series against the Elon Phoenix at Bill Edwards Stadium on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. The Pride is scheduled for a Friday evening doubleheader at 5 p.m. and the single game is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. Saturday's game will also serve as Senior Day, where the Hofstra Softball program will honor its two seniors, Courtney Scarpato and Lydia Witkowski. Saturday is also Alumnae Day, where the program will have a special ring presentation ceremony honoring the 2018 Colonial Athletic Association Champions. All alumnae are encouraged to attend and RSVP at this link.