Brookline, MA - Vito Friscia had three hits including a home run for Hofstra, but Northeastern's Sean Mellen struck out 12 batters over seven innings as the Huskies defeated the Pride, 5-1, Saturday afternoon at Friedman Diamond. The win knotted the Colonial Athletic Association series at one game apiece heading into Sunday's rubber game.

The Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second. Jeff Costello led off with a double and stole third. After a walk to Jake Rosen, Ryan Solomon singled to drive in the first run. A double steal put runners on second and third for Michael Geaslen, who drove in the second run with a ground ball out. Kyle Peterson followed with an RBI single to drive in Northeastern's third run. The Huskies used back-to back doubles from Corey DiLoreto and Jake Farrell to plate another run in the third. Solomon led off the fourth with a double and came in to score Northeastern's fifth run on Geaslen's single.

That was more than enough for Mellen (4-0), who allowed just four hits and three walks. Friscia homered off the 2018 Second Team All-American to lead off the sixth inning. That was one of three hits on the day for Friscia, who also threw out three runners from behind the plate and stole a base.

Michael James (0-6) took the loss for the Pride (5-20, 1-4 CAA) after allowing five runs on 10 hits in five innings. Seamus Brazill went the final three innings and allowed three hits.
Geaslen had three hits and two RBIs for Northeastern (15-15, 5-3 CAA). Josh Winkler went the final three innings and allowed two hits with four strikeouts.

The teams will conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m.

Notes:
-Friscia moved into sole possession of eighth place on the Hofstra all-time home run list with 21.
-Kevin O'Connor had two hits for the Pride.