Hempstead, NY - Kevin Bruggeman's two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning snapped a 1-1 tie as Hofstra defeated Manhattan, 3-1, Friday afternoon in the first of two games on the day for the Pride at University Field. Hofstra fell to Merrimack, 10-0, in the second game.

Hofstra is 7-6 on the season following the split. Manhattan is 7-9 and Merrimack is 3-8-1.

Hofstra took a 1-0 lead I in the fourth inning on a solo home run from Steve Harrington. The score remained that way until the seventh inning when the Jaspers would tie the game with an unearned run. Jack Lynch led off with a single and advanced to second on a two-out wild pitch. Following a walk, the Pride went to the bullpen for Aljo Sujak. Before his first pitch, he was called for a balk and the runners advanced to second and third. Lynch would then come in on a passed ball to tie things up.

In the eighth, Jake Liberatore drew a leadoff walk from reliever Justin Solimine. Following a pitching change, Bruggeman came up and attempted to sacrifice the runner to second. But after getting to a 3-2 count, the bunt was taken off and the junior catcher hit a towering blast off Ryan Crehan to put Hofstra on top.

Sujak (1-0) got credit for the win after going an inning and a third in relief of starter Mark Faello. Mike McKenna came on to get the final three outs for his second save of the season.

Solimine (1-2) took the loss for Manhattan after walking his only batter (Liberatore), who proved to be the winning run.

In the second game, Hofstra starter Tristan Nemjo was cruising along until the fifth when the Warriors loaded the bases on a walk and two singles. Michael Golankiewicz cleared the bases with a grand slam home run to give Merrimack a 4-0 lead. The Warriors scored three more runs in the sixth with Tiernan Lynch drawing a bases-loaded walk and Scott Elliott delivering a two-run single. Merrimack would add two more runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to close out the scoring.

Nemjo (0-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Merrimack starter Wyatt Villella (1-2) went seven innings and allowed no runs on six hits to notch his first victory of the season.

Hofstra and Merrimack will meet again on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Warriors will also play Manhattan at 2:30 p.m.
Notes:
- Bruggeman was 3-4 in the opening game
- Michael Florides had two hits versus Manhattan.
- Faello took a no-decision after allowing an unearned run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings.
- Hofstra is 28-15 all-time versus Manhattan.
- The Pride is 0-1 against Merrimack.
- Lane Harris made his first appearance of the season in the second game and struck out two batters in a perfect inning.
- Anthony D'Onofrio had two hits versus Merrimack and had one in the opener.