Athens, GA – On the second day of the Georgia Classic in Athens, Georgia, the Hofstra softball team came up short against #17 Georgia and Lipscomb from Jack Turner Stadium. The Pride dropped a 5-0 game to the Bulldogs, followed by a 7-1 defeat to Lipscomb.
Hofstra drops to 0-9 with the pair of losses. #17 Georgia improved to 11-4, and Lipscomb improves to 4-6.
Game #1: #17 Georgia 5, Hofstra 0
In the second game between the Pride and the host Bulldogs, #17 Georgia pulled in front with a pair of one-out RBIs – one a double, and the other a sac fly – to lead 2-0 after the first inning. The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the third inning with a sac fly to make it 3-0, and they made 4-0 in the top of the fourth with a pair of runs. The bats stayed quiet the rest of the game until the final out.
Becca Vaillancourt and
Alanna Morse both reached base on singles, and
Kasey Collins and
Amanda Maffucci reached base by walk.
Nikki Mullin pitched all six innings and struck out two.
Game #2: Lipscomb 7, Hofstra 1
After a scoreless first inning, Lipscomb capitalized by a Hofstra throwing error to score two unearned runs and lead, 2-0. The Bisons added a third in the inning by way of a fielder's choice play to make it 3-0 after two innings.
Hofstra got a spark of life on offense when
Meghan Giordano blasted a solo home run over the left field wall to make the score 3-1 in the third inning. Unfortunately, Lipscomb responded with a four-run fifth-inning to lead, 7-1.
In addition to her home run, Giordano also drew a walk against the Bisons, and Collins and Morse each recorded hits in the game.
Haley Venturini pitched 4.1 innings and recorded five strikeouts against six hits and three earned runs.
Emma Brennan came in for 2.2 innings of relief and struck out one batter.
Hofstra closes out the Georgia Classic on Sunday, February 26, at 10 a.m. against California Baptist.
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 0-2 against Lipscomb and 0-3 against Georgia all-time.
-Giordano's home run was her second of the season.
-Vaillancourt threw out a Bulldog baserunner in the sixth inning. It's the third time this season Vaillancourt has thrown out an opposing baserunner.
-Hofstra has now taken the field four times against nationally-ranked opponents. The Pride had a pair of games against #12 Washington last week, and they faced #17 Georgia yesterday.
