Hofstra Opens 2024 Campaign At No. 11 Virginia

2/15/2024 3:00:00 PM | By: Len Skoros

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University baseball team opens the 2024 season at No. 11 Virginia Friday in the first game of a three-game series against the Cavaliers at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park. Friday's opener is set for 3 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday's games will start at 1 p.m.

All three games will be live streamed on ACCNX, which is available via ESPN+. Live statistics will also be offered. Links for both can be found on the baseball schedule page on GoHofstra.com.

Hofstra is coming off a 26-26 season in 2023. The Pride returns 22 players from that team, including five position starters. The Pride also has 14 pitchers back from last season as well. Leading the returning position players are graduate students Santino Rosso, Will Kennedy, and Michael Florides, senior Steve Harrington, and sophomore Dylan Palmer. Rosso, a third baseman, batted .318 last season with 13 doubles and 36 RBIs, while Kennedy, an outfielder, hit .337 with nine doubles and 15 RBI in 27 games. Florides, the Pride's incumbent shortstop, batted .266 and was outstanding defensively. Harrington, an outfielder/first baseman, batted .350 with a team-high seven home runs and 46 RBIs. Palmer, an infielder and outfielder, turned in a spectacular freshman season, leading the team with a .369 average and 23 stolen bases. Harrington and Palmer were both All-CAA selections in 2023, while the pair and Kennedy were tabbed as Preseason Honorable Mention All-CAA selections going into 2024. Junior Dom Camera returns as one of the Pride's catchers, while senior Matt Pelcher is expected to fill a utility role for the Pride.

Pitching-wise, Hofstra closer Michael O'Hanlon (1-1, 3.62, 6 saves) moves into the starting rotation in 2024 and will be the opening day starter. The senior has 12 career saves. Senior Steven Kaenzig (0-1, 3.09) also returns and will start game two, while sophomore Carlos Martinez (1-1, 12.83) gets the ball in Sunday's finale. Graduate student Mike McKenna (2-0) is slated to handle closing duties with returnees Danny Kelleher, Penn Sealey, Cade Henry, Tristan Nemjo, Jake DesLauriers, Brian Hart, and Landon Friedman in the mix for innings as well.

Hofstra also has 14 newcomers, with several expected to make an immediate impact led by outfielder Alex McCoy and first baseman Sean Lane. The pair are penciled in the Pride's projected starting lineup.

Virginia (50-15) is ranked No. 11 in the Preseason Coaches Poll and is coming off a College World Series appearance in 2023. The Cavaliers own a 2-0 record against the Pride, but have not played since 1952.

Hofstra will head back to the state of Virginia next weekend for another three-game series, this one against Liberty in Lynchburg.

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