Hempstead, NY - Hofstra erased a 5-1 deficit with a six-run third inning and went on to post an 8-6 Colonial Athletic Association victory over College of Charleston Friday afternoon at University Field. The Pride handed the Cougars their first CAA loss of the season following a 3-0 start and moved into a tie for first place.
Hofstra improved to 11-9 overall and 3-1 in the CAA with the win. Charleston moved to 15-11 overall and 3-1 in league action.
The Cougars used the long ball to jump out to a 2-0 lead. JT Marr hit a solo home run in the top of the first and Luke Wood had a solo shot in the second. Sam Cochrane added a sacrifice fly in the second to stake Charleston to a 3-0 lead.
The Pride got a run back in the second as
Steve Harrington walked and went to third on a single from
Jake Liberatore.
Kevin Bruggeman followed with an RBI groundout to make it a 3-1 game.
A two-run home run from Donald Hansis in the top of the third pushed Charleston's lead to four, 5-1, before Hofstra came roaring back in the third. After a one-out single from
Santino Rosso and a walk to
Anthony D'Onofrio,
Brian Morrell tripled to centerfield to drive in two runs. After a walk to Harrington, Liberatore reached on an infield single to score Morrell, and he and Harrington each moved up a base on a throwing error. Bruggeman followed with an RBI single that tied the game at 5.
Nick Marrero delivered a sacrifice fly to put the Pride up one. Bruggeman closed the scoring with a tremendous base running effort as he took second on a wild pitch and then came all the way around to score on a second wild pitch.
Morrell would cap Hofstra's scoring on the day with an RBI single in the fourth that plated D'Onofrio, who had reached on an error and advanced to second.
The score remained 8-5 until the top of the ninth when the Cougars got an RBI single from Preston Hall to make it an 8-6 game. Charleston would load the bases with two outs but Hofstra reliever
Michael O'Hanlon struck out the final batter to end the game.
Hofstra starter
Mark Faello (3-1) picked up the win with a gutsy six-inning performance. After giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks in the first three innings, he settled down and allowed just one hit and one walk over his final three innings.
Aljo Sujak followed with a solid 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing a run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts. O'Hanlon pitched to the final two batters and picked up his second save of the season.
Ty Good (3-3) took the loss for Charleston, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. Paris Reed went the final 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts.
Morrell was 2-4 with three RBIs, while Bruggeman was 2-4 with two RBIs and Liberatore went 2-4 with an RBI.
The teams will conclude their series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. This is a change from the original schedule as rain in Sunday's forecast forced a change.
Notes:
-Hofstra is 9-16 all-time versus Charleston and has won seven straight games at home against the Cougars.
-Hofstra's 3-1 start in CAA play is its best since the 2010 team began 3-1 as well.
-D'Onofrio and Harrington saw their hitting streaks end at eight games.
-D'Onofrio was hit by two pitches in the game in addition to drawing a walk.
