LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Hofstra University softball team continued play at the Liberty Spring Classic, taking on the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University.
The Pride dropped both contests despite coming from behind twice against Yale in the second contest of the day, falling to Penn 6-1 and Yale 7-6.
Alexis Goeke and
Jordan Pietrzykoski finished with three hits on the day, while
Lindsey Hay added two hits. Pietrzykoski also hit her first career home run and drove in a team-best four runs on the day.
Game One: Penn 6, Hofstra 1
Penn got on the scoreboard first in the second inning with an RBI ground out before adding three more runs in the third and one more in the fourth to jump out to a 6-0 advantage over the Pride. In the bottom of the fourth inning,
Jaycee Ruberti drew a lead-off walk on a 3-2 count to reach base, before Goeke singled through the left side, advancing Ruberti to third. Ioppolo grounded out to shortstop but Ruberti was able to score, breaking Hofstra's scoring draught.
Penn loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning, but a ground out ended the threat, giving Hofstra momentum heading into the bottom half of the stanza. Goeke singled up the middle with one out before Ioppolo followed up with another base hit, however two-straight outs ended the frame. Neither team reached base in the seventh inning as Penn was able to clinch the win.
Goeke went 3-for-3 at the plate while Pietrzykoski and Ioppolo both had hits. Collins walked twice and Ruberti walked once.
Madison Burns (1-5) took the loss and tossed 3.0 innings while surrendering just one earned run.
Mackenzie Suto pitched 4.0 innings in relief and struck out three batters. Jennifer Brann (2-0) earned the win for the Quakers and tossed a complete-game, striking out four.
Game Two: Yale 7, Hofstra 6
Hofstra jumped out to an early lead during the top of the second inning, using a Yale error to plate the game's opening run. The Bulldogs worked out of the inning, stranding two runners on base to keep the lead at just one run for the Pride.
During the bottom half of the inning, Yale tied the scoring with an RBI-single and took its first lead of the game with a two-out single up the middle. The Bulldogs added three runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 5-1. The Pride rallied in the top of the fifth, however, scoring four runs on four hits. Despite recording two outs to begin the inning, Yale was unable to keep Hofstra off the board as
Lindsey Hay singled through the left side and later scored on an infield single by
Kasey Collins. Pietrzykoski launched her first career home run to cap off the big inning, bringing Hofstra level with Yale at 5-5.
The Pride threatened during the top of the sixth but ultimately stranded a runner in scoring position. Yale led off the bottom half of the inning with an infield single and pushed the runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. A two-out double gave Yale the lead once again and the Bulldogs carried a 6-5 advantage into the final frame.
Hay led off the top of the seventh and advanced to third on a ground out to set up the tying run. Pietrzykoski singled up the middle on the first pitch of her at bat with two outs to tie the game at 6-6. The rally was not enough for the Pride, as Yale homered to right field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to earn the 7-6 win.
Pietrzykoski and Hay recorded two hits apiece in the game, with Pietrzykoski driving in four runs. Ruberti added a double at the plate for the Pride.
Nikki Mullin (1-4) pitched 5.1 innings in relief and took the loss inside the circle while striking out four batters. Miranda Papes (4-0) earned the win for Yale.
Hofstra will wrap up the Liberty Spring Classic with a matchup against East Carolina University at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.
