HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Hofstra University softball team battled back after a tough opener to earn a split with the University of Delaware to kick off its weekend Colonial Athletic Association series with the Blue Hens on Saturday, April 17 at Bill Edwards Stadium. After falling 11-0 in game one, the Pride responded with a 9-5 triumph during the nightcap.
Kristin Hallam led Hofstra with five hits in seven at-bats, notching one double, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. Angelina Ioppolo, Jaycee Ruberti, and Brianna Morse also recorded multiple hits on the day, with Morse finishing 3-for-4 in game two.
Hofstra is now 12-11 on the season and 5-5 in the CAA while Delaware moved to 17-4 overall and 7-3 in the league.
Game One: Delaware 11, Hofstra 0 (5 Inn.)
The Blue Hens struck first in the top of the first, notching the game's opening run with a single down the left field line. Delaware tacked on three runs during the third and seven runs during the fifth to earn the opening win.
Hallam and Ioppolo recorded one hit each during game one, with Hallam legging out a double during the third inning.
Game Two: Hofstra 9, Delaware 5
Hofstra's bats came to life during the second game, belting 12 hits and plating nine runs. The Pride threatened during the first inning but stranded a runner on third base. It was Delaware once again striking first with four runs during the top of the second.
Hofstra had the response this time, however, answering with six runs in the bottom half of the stanza. Madison McKevitt delivered the first blow with a pinch-hit, two-run double and Hallam singled through the left side of the infield during the next at-bat to make it 3-0. After Hallam stole second, Ruberti drilled a three-run home run over the right-field fence to give Hofstra a 6-4 lead.
After two scoreless innings, the Blue Hens made it a one-run game with a one-out double down the left-field line. Hofstra once again made sure to end Delaware's momentum immediately, scoring three insurance runs during the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Sam Ward collected her first hit of the season with a pinch-hit double to score two runs. Ruberti followed with an RBI-double to give the Pride a 9-5 lead. Nikki Mullin took care of the rest setting the Blue Hens down in order during the sixth and stranding two runners on base during the seventh.
In the circle, Annabella Pisapia earned the win with four innings pitched and two strikeouts. Mullin notched a three-inning save, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out one.
The Pride will wrap their weekend series with Delaware on Sunday, April 18, with the rubber match slated to begin at 12:00 p.m.
