Charlottesville, VA – Dipping its toes back into non-conference play, the Hofstra softball team dropped a pair of games to Virginia. The Pride lost the first game, 2-0, before losing 4-1 in game two from Palmer Park in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Hofstra falls to 8-15 on the year with the losses. Virginia improves to 20-10 following its doubleheader sweep of the visiting Pride.
Game #1: Virginia 2, Hofstra 0
In what was a pitcher's dual for most of the game,
Haley Venturini pitched four innings and struck out one batter against two runs scored, five hits allowed, and one walk.
Annabella Pisapia made a relief appearance in the circle and pitched two innings while retiring all six batters faced without allowing a Cavalier on base.
Virginia pulled ahead with a two-out, solo home run in the top of the first by Sarah Coon, and they added another run in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice bunt by Gabby Baylog.
Angelina Ioppolo registered the lone Hofstra hit in the first game against pitcher Jenny Bressler, and
Alanna Morse reached base on a walk.
Game #2: Virginia 4, Hofstra 1
In a near-repeat of the first game, Virginia started off the game with an RBI in the first inning on a single to right field. Hofstra responded in the top of the third inning with a tying RBI double to left center by Ioppolo, scoring
Chelsea Manto from second base. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers pulled back in front with three runs in the bottom half of the third inning; Virginia scored on a fielder's choice at first base, a run scored on an obstruction of home plate, and on a rundown between first and second.
The Virginia pitchers allowed one more hit the rest of the way – an
Alanna Morse single in the fourth inning – before the final out.
In addition to Iopplo's RBI double and Morse's single, Hofstra got hits from Manto,
Meghan Giordano, and
Brianna Morse, and
Becca Vaillancourt reached base on a walk.
Julia Apsel picked up the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in 3.1 innings in the circle.
Nikki Mullin pitched the remaining 2.2 innings and didn't allow a single Virginia hit while striking out on batter.
Hofstra returns to action on Thursday, March 23, with a 1 p.m. road game against UMBC (8-7).
NOTES:
-Hofstra's all-time record against Virginia is now 3-9. This was the first meeting on the diamond since 2012.
-Ioppolo has gotten a hit in four of the last five games.
-Virginia is the fourth "Power 5" conference opponent Hofstra has faced this season. The Pride have previously faced Washington, Georgia, and Boston College.
