FAIRFAX, Va. – The Hofstra University softball team opened the Mason Invitational with a 5-1 setback to Canisius College at the George Mason Softball Complex on Friday, March 6.
 
Five different players recorded a hit for Hofstra, with sophomore Kasey Collins leading the way with two hits. Freshman Jordan Pietrzykoski notched the first triple of the year for the Pride, finishing 1-for-3 on the day. Sophomore Jaycee Ruberti, sophomore Meghan Giordano and senior Alexa Corben also tallied hits.
 
Canisius forced Hofstra to strand a runner in scoring position during the top of the first and took a lead during the bottom half of the frame on a two-run home run. The Pride threatened again during the third inning when Collins and Ruberti advanced into scoring position with a double steal, though the Golden Griffins worked out of the jam to keep Hofstra scoreless.
 
Ruberti walked with one out in the top of the fifth inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Collins. Pietrzykoski delivered a triple to right-center field to put the Pride on the board. Canisius loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth before Madison Burns worked out of the jam to keep it a one-run game heading into the sixth inning. The margin did not last long, however, as the Pride went scoreless in the top of the sixth and the Golden Griffins tacked on three more runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 5-1 lead that they held the remainder of the way.

The Pride dropped to 2-12 with the loss while Canisius improved to 6-9 with the win. Sophomore Madison Burns (1-7) pitched a complete-game while striking out three batters and Alexis Churchill (2-1) earned the complete-game win.
 
Hofstra will continue play at the Mason Invitational on Saturday, March 7 with two games against the University of Buffalo and Cornell University at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.