Hempstead, NY – Towson scored three times in the ninth inning of game one to erase an 8-6 deficit and then broke a 3-3 tie in extra innings in game two to complete a doubleheader sweep of Hofstra Friday at University Field. Game scores were 9-8 in game one and 4-3 in 10 innings in game 2.
Hofstra slipped to 10-14 overall and 1-8 in the Colonial Athletic Association with the losses. Towson moved to 15-22 overall and 5-1 in the CAA with the wins.
Hofstra and Towson will play another doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
Game 1
Hofstra jumped out to a 6-0 lead after four innings. The Pride scored five times in the second, loading the bases with no outs on a pair of singles and a walk. Following a run scoring on a passed ball,
Will Kennedy delivered an RBI single to left that scored one run while a second run scored on a fielding error on the play to make it 3-0.
Austin Gauthier hit a double off the fence in right field to make it 4-0 and
Santino Rosso followed with a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring in the inning. The Pride would tack on a run in the fourth after loading the bases with no outs. Rosso hit into a double play with a run coming in.
The Tigers would chip away, scoring a run in the fifth, two in the sixth, two in the seventh and the tying run in the eighth. Hofstra would strike for two runs in its half of the frame and take an 8-6 lead.
Kevin Bruggeman had an RBI fielder's choice and Gauthier added another RBI double. However, Towson got to Pride closer
John Mikolaicyk in the ninth. A leadoff walk and a hit batter put runners on first and second with no outs. The Tigers advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Noah Cabrera followed with a sacrifice fly to right that made it 8-7. Jake Lysaght then came through with a two-run single that made it a 9-8 game in favor of Towson. The Pride would go down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
Mikolaicyk (0-3) took the loss after allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in one inning. Jake Pecilunas (3-3) earned the win in relief, pitching one inning, while Austin Weber got the final out for his fourth save.
Gauthier was 2-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Ryan Morash,
Rob Weissheier, and Kennedy each had a pair of hits as well.
Jack Jett started for the Pride and allowed three runs on five hits over six innings with six strikeouts.
Game 2
Rob Weissheier tied the game at three in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run home run to right field, but Towson had an answer in the top of the 10th inning to take the victory over Hofstra.
With a runner starting on second base, the Tigers loaded the bases with a bunt single and a comebacker to pitcher
Tristan Nemjo that got lost at his feet. Following a strikeout, Nemjo (0-1) walked in the go ahead run. The Pride tried to rally in their half of the inning but managed just and infield single that put runners on the corners before Kody Reeser (3-3) struck out the final batter to end the game.
Morash had another two-hit game in the nightcap and also drove in the first Hofstra run with an infield single.
Mark Faello pitched well in his start for the Pride, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings. Nick Janowicz allowed just one run on four hits over seven innings for the Tigers.
Notes:
-Weissheier's home run was the 20th of his career and moves him into a tie for ninth place on Hofstra's all-time home run list.
-Weissheier's two RBIs on the day gave him 100 for his career.
-Hofstra and Towson each turned five double plays on the day.
