Washington, D.C. – The Hofstra University softball team earned a non-conference victory over Howard University on Thursday afternoon at the Nationals Youth Academy, 4-1.
 
Hofstra improved to 6-16 on the year while Howard dropped to 10-18 overall.
 
After leaving three runners on base in the first, Hofstra got all the offense it needed in the second inning as the Pride scored all four runs on three hits and two Bison errors. Aliya Catanzarita and Amanda Maffucci singled up the middle before both baserunners scored on errors by Howard. Angelina Ioppolo capped off the rally with a double to left field to send Meghan Giordano home from second base.
 
Hofstra loaded the bases again in the sixth with Chelsea Manto reaching on an infield single during the frame, and Howard recorded its only run in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single to finalize the score at 4-1.   
 
In the circle, Haley Venturini recorded her third-straight victory and improved to 3-5 on the year. She tossed a complete-game and allowed just five hits while striking out eight batters.
 
Hofstra is back in action for its first two Colonial Athletic Association games of the season this Saturday, March 26 against Elon. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader at Hunt Softball Park is set for 1 p.m.
 
NOTES:
-It was the first meeting between Howard and Hofstra
-Venturini recorded her sixth game with five or more strikeouts
-Hofstra also drew four walks