Bronx, NY – A two-out, seventh inning rally by the Hofstra softball team against hosts Fordham came up just short as the Pride dropped a tough 2-1 decision to the Rams on a foggy, messy Wednesday afternoon from Bahoshy Field in the Bronx. Hofstra slips to 13-20 overall following the one-run loss, and Fordham's record improves to 12-17.
After three scoreless innings for both sides to open the game, Fordham plated the first run of the afternoon on a one-out RBI triple, and the Rams added to their lead with an RBI double by the very next batter.
Held without a hit or a baserunner since the top of the third inning, Hofstra's offense sparked to life in the top of the seventh inning.
Aliya Catanzarita drew a six-pitch walk, and with one out left in the game,
Gianna Iaquinto laced a two-strike pitch off the wall in left field, scoring pinch runner
Alanna Morse from first to cut the Fordham lead to one.
Olivia Malinowski drew the second walk of the inning after Iaquinto advanced to third on a passed ball, putting the tying and go-ahead runs on for the Pride. However,
Kasey Collins slapped a line drive to the Fordham left fielder for the final out of the contest, sending Hofstra back to Long Island in defeat.
Iaquinto led the Pride with two hits in three trips to the batter's box, while
Chelsea Manto and
Angelina Ioppolo recorded the other two of Hofstra's four hits on the day.
Nikki Mullin got the start in the circle, going four innings and recording one strikeout against two runs and five hits in the loss.
Annabella Pisapia pitched the final two innings of the contest and allowed one hit to the Rams.
Hofstra resumes its Colonial Athletic Association schedule with a three-game series at home against Towson (17-16, 7-5 CAA), beginning with a doubleheader on Friday (Apr. 7) at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
NOTES:
-This was the third multi-hit game of Iaquinto's career, and first since a three-hit performance against Charleston on April 2, 2022.
-Manto stole her CAA-leading 15th base of the season in the third inning.
-Ioppolo hit her ninth double of the season.
-Hofstra is now 10-8 all-time against Fordham.