Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra softball team fought all seven innings but fell just short in the series finale to Drexel on Sunday afternoon, 4-3.
 
Chelsea Manto and Devyn Losco both had a pair of hits on the afternoon, as Manto was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored while Losco was 2-for-3, also with one run and one RBI. Kasey Collins and Meghan Giordano both had one hit, and Giordano drove in one run.
 
Hofstra scored in the first inning after Manto and Collins both singled and stole a base before Giordano ripped a single to left field to send Manto home. Hofstra left three runners on base that inning however, and was unable to push any more runs across.
 
In the third, Drexel put its first three runners on base before the Dragons scored four-straight runs in four-straight at bats including a walk and three consecutive singles. Haley Venturini entered the game in the circle and recorded three outs in her two batters faced including a 1-2-3 double play to end Drexel's attack.
 
Down by three, Hofstra made it a one-run game after Losco placed a double perfectly down the right field line, scoring Kayla Wilson all the way from first base. Manto added another run for Hofstra when she legged out two-out base hit to the shortstop as Losco made it a one-run ballgame, 4-3.   
 
Both teams went hitless during the final three innings, but Hofstra put one final baserunner on in the bottom of the seventh when Collins was hit by a pitch with two outs before a deep fly-out by Giordano ended the game as Drexel escaped with the win.
 
Nikki Mullin (5-5) took the loss in the circle, starting the game and pitching two innings. Venturini tossed the final five innings for the Pride and allowed zero runs and just one hit while striking out three batters.
 
Hofstra, who clinched a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship following yesterday's action, dropped to 18-25 overall and 11-6 in the CAA while Drexel improved to 24-22 and 5-13 in the conference.
 
Hofstra is back in action next for its final home game of the season, a non-conference single-game against LIU at Bill Edwards Stadium, this Tuesday, May 3. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
 
Notes:
-Hofstra is now 74-18 all-time against Drexel
-Manto batted .583 this weekend with seven hits and three runs scored
-Giordano and Losco each had three hits this weekend while Giordano tallied six RBI.
-Manto's reached base streak is now at 25 games while Giordano has reached base in 16-straight contests 
-Prior to the game, Hofstra celebrated graduate students Devyn Losco and Sam Ward as well as senior Madison Burns