Hempstead, NY - Hofstra rallied from a 5-0 second inning deficit to post an 8-5 victory over Sacred Heart Friday afternoon at University Field in the Pride's home opener. Hofstra took the lead with a 5-run sixth inning that turned a 5-3 Sacred Heart lead into an 8-5 Hofstra advantage.

The Pride snapped a two-game losing skid with the win and improved to 5-4 on the year. Sacred Heart lost for the sixth consecutive game and fell to 1-8.

The Pioneers put up a 5-run second inning and chased Hofstra starter Ryan Rue after 1-plus innings. Sacred Heart took advantage of two Hofstra errors to plate a pair of runs and Julian Pedrouzo contributed a 2-run double in the inning. Rue faced six batters in the second before Mark Faello came on in relief and got out of a bases-loaded situation by striking out the final two batters of the inning.

The Pride chipped away at the Sacred Heart lead, scoring single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. In the third, Santino Rosso started things with a two-out single and after a walk to Anthony D'Onofrio, Rob Weissheier laced an RBI double that scored Rosso. Hofstra would take advantage of a Sacred Heart error in the fourth as Kevin Bruggeman walked and came all the way around on a single from Luke Napolitano that was misplayed for a two-base error. Brian Goulard drove in the run in the fifth with a single that plated Rosso, who led off the inning with a walk.

The Hofstra sixth saw the Pride score five runs with two coming courtesy of Rosso's first home run of the season. Goulard added an RBI single, Ryan Morash beat out a bunt for an RBI single and Goulard would later score on a throwing error after stealing third base.

Faello (2-0) was outstanding in relief as the junior right-hander went five scoreless innings and allowed two hits while striking out six. Chris Mott followed with 1 2/3 innings, allowing a hit with three strikeouts. John Mikolaicyk got the final four outs for his second save of the season.

Rosso finished the day 2-4 with three runs and a pair of RBIs. Goulard was 3-5 with two RBIs and a run scored while Bruggeman added a pair of hits and scored two runs.

Pedrouzo and Austin Markman each had a pair of hits for Sacred Heart. Tyler Briggs (0-3) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits in 1 2/3 innings of work.

The teams resume the series Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch is at 11 a.m.

Notes:
-Austin Gauthier extended his on-base streak to 23 games dating back to last season.
-Morash has reached base in 16 consecutive games going back to last season.
-Hofstra has won its last five home openers.
-The Pride is 6-0-1 all-time against Sacred Heart
-Hofstra Coach John Russo (178 wins) is one victory shy of tying the career mark of Jack Smith, who had 179 from 1943 to 1962.