Newark, DE - Austin Gauthier went 2-4 with a three-run triple to back the strong pitching performance of Jack Jett as Hofstra defeated Delaware, 5-4, Friday night at Bob Hannah Stadium. The Pride held off a late Blue Hens rally to take the opening game of the three-game Colonial Athletic Association series.

Hofstra improved to 16-28-1 overall and 8-11 in league play. Delaware slipped to 20-29 on the year and 8-11 in CAA action.

Delaware took an early 1-0 lead as Kevin Mohollen homered leading off the bottom of the first inning. But that was the only run Jett would allow in his six innings of work.

Hofstra would put up four runs in the fourth to take the lead. Two walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases for Gauthier, who laced a triple to the gap in right center to clear the bases. Anthony D'Onofrio then made it a 4-1 game with a sacrifice fly.

The Pride would add what proved to be a much-needed insurance run in the seventh as Austin Pollack doubled in Tyler White, who had walked earlier in the inning. Delaware would rally for three runs in the seventh as Jack Goan singled to leadoff the inning and came in to score on Zack Miller's double. After loading the bases, the Blue Hens scored on a hit batsman and a sacrifice fly to pull within one.

Delaware also had a chance in the ninth as Zack Lesher doubled to leadoff the inning. But Rob Weissheier made a strong defensive play on a sacrifice bunt attempt and gunned Lesher out at third base. From there, Andrew Mundy got the final two outs and notched his fourth save.

Jett (1-3) allowed one run on four hits with six strikeouts to earn his first career victory. The six innings and six strikeouts were bot career bests. Mundy went the final three innings and allowed three runs on three hits.

Brandon Walter (5-6) took the loss for the Blue Hens, allowing all five runs on five hits and four walks in seven innings.

Pollack also had two hits for the Pride, while Kevin O'Connor and Parker Quinn each had doubles.

Notes:
-Hofstra is unbeaten in its last four games (3-0-1).
-Vito Friscia extended his on-base streak to 27 games with three walks but saw his hitting streak end at 10 games.
-Gauthier's triple was his second of the season.
-Hofstra is 27-73 all-time versus Delaware.