Washington, D.C. – The Hofstra softball team took an early lead and never looked back, as the Pride earned a 5-3 win on the road against Howard in non-conference play from the Nationals Youth Academy in Washington, D.C. The win moves Hofstra to 12-17 on the year following Thursday afternoon's win, and the loss drops Howard to 9-17 overall.
 
The Pride jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning. After Kasey Collins reached base on a lead-off walk, she advanced all the way to third base on consecutive passed balls, and she scored on a fielder's choice out at first base by Angelina Ioppolo to make it a 1-0 score. Hofstra added its second run of the inning on an error by the Howard left fielder on a SAC fly attempt by Brianna Morse, allowing Meghan Giordano to cross home safely.
 
Hofstra added another pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning to increase the lead to four. With one out and the bases loaded, Collins singled to center field and scored Alanna Morse and Gianna Iaquinto to make it 4-0 Pride. The Bison cut the lead to two with a two-run bottom half of the inning, but Giordano sent a pitch over the left field wall for her ninth home run of the season to put the Hofstra lead at three in the top of the fifth inning. Howard put the deficit back to two runs with a fielder's choice RBI in the bottom of the sixth inning, but it would be the last run either side scored before the final out.
 
Annabella Pisapia pitched five innings and earned her second win of the season. Nikki Mullin entered the game in the sixth inning and recorded a strikeout in her first save of the season. Collins and Madison McKevitt led the team with two hits on the day, while Iaquinto drew three walks for the Pride.
 
Hofstra resumes Colonial Athletic Association action with a three-game series against North Carolina A&T (6-22, 1-5 CAA) in Greensboro, North Carolina, beginning with a Saturday (Apr. 1) doubleheader at noon and 2:30 p.m.
 
NOTES:
-Hofstra moves to 2-0 all-time against Howard.
-Iaquinto's three walks are the most in a game by a Hofstra softball player since Giordano drew three walks against Drake on February 16, 2020.
-Giordano has hit a home run in three consecutive games, and in four of the last five games.
-Collins has now reached base safely in six consecutive games.
-Chelsea Manto stole her CAA-leading 13th base of the season.