HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Hofstra University softball team earned a doubleheader split with Drexel University on Saturday, May 1 to open its weekend series with the Dragons at Bill Edwards Stadium. The Pride took the opener 10-9 before falling in game two, 6-2.
 
Prior to the contest, Hofstra honored four student-athletes, Alexa Corben, Jessica Joy, Alexis Goeke, and Kristin Hallam, who are playing their final set of home games this weekend. 
 
Hallam led Hofstra with five hits on the day, driving in two runs and stealing one base. Junior center fielder Jaycee Ruberti added four hits and two runs scored, while seven other hitters recorded two or more hits on the day. Junior third baseman Meghan Giordano and senior Devyn Losco each homered, with Losco leading Hofstra with four RBI.
 
Game One: Hofstra 10, Drexel 9
 
Despite a three-run inning by the Dragons during the top of the first, Hofstra's offense came out hot with three runs of their own during the bottom half of the frame. Junior first baseman Angelina Ioppolo opened the scoring with an RBI-double down the left-field line and Losco drove home two more runs with a single to center field. The back-and-forth action continued as Drexel grabbed a one-run lead during the third inning and the Pride responded with a two-run home run from Losco to retake the lead.
 
Drexel tacked on two runs during the fourth and fifth innings to jump back ahead, 6-5, and a two-run homer during the sixth gave the Dragons an 8-5 advantage. The Pride would not go down, however, as Hallam plated two runs with a double to left-center field and later scored on a deep double to center field by Ruberti to level the scoring at 8-8. During the next plate appearance, Giordano blasted a long home run to center field to give Hofstra the decisive tally. Drexel would score one run during the final stanza but Nikki Mullin shut the door to earn the win for the Pride.
 
Game Two: Hofstra 2, Drexel 6
 
For the second-consecutive game, Drexel scored during the top of the first inning to lead 1-0. The Pride tallied runs during the second and third innings as Goeke drove home Losco with a single to right field to level the scoring and Giordano recorded a sacrifice fly an inning later to give the Blue and Gold a 2-1 advantage.
 
Despite holding Drexel scoreless during the fourth inning, the Dragons pushed across five runs over the fifth and sixth innings to take a commanding lead. Hofstra threatened during the fifth and sixth innings as well, but stranded four runners on base and ultimately fell by the 6-2 margin.
 
Up Next:
The Pride and Dragons will conclude Hofstra's final CAA-series on Sunday, May 2. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.

Notes:
-Hofstra now holds the edge in the all-time series, 72-16
-Hofstra matched a program record with 77 stolen bases this season. The record was last set in 2017 when Hofstra also had 77 stolen bases.
-Hallam has now reached base is 20 consecutive games and is on a seven-game hitting streak. 
-Hofstra turned two double plays, one in each game. 
-The Pride recorded six extra-base hits