Tampa, FL – The Hofstra softball team opened up its 2024 calendar with a split on the first day of The Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF, winning 1-0 in eight innings over UIC before dropping a 4-1 result to Boston College on the first day from USF Softball Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
 
Game #1: Hofstra 1, UIC 0 – 8 innings
The Pride and the Flames experienced a pitchers duel for most of the Pride's season opener, with the squads leaving a combined nine runners on the basepaths as Hofstra's Julia Apsel and UIC's Carlee Jo Clark kept the scoreboard blank for seven innings. As the Pride started the eighth inning with Tyler Douglas on second, she quickly advanced into scoring position on a groundout by Alanna Morse. With Gabriella Sultan stepping up as the pinch batter, Douglas took advantage of a UIC throwing error and safely crossed home plate for the go-ahead run. Apsel finished off the Flames with a one-two-three eighth inning to secure the win.
 
Apsel pitched all eight innings and allowed only five UIC baserunners while striking out a career-high seven batters in her first action of the season. Chelsea Manto, Lily Yepez, Alanna Morse, and Nicole Cancel all drew hits for the Pride, while Cancel, Manto, and Yepez all picked up stolen bases against the Flames.
 
Game #2: Boston College 4, Hofstra 1
Boston College's Jordan Stephens drove a 2-0 pitch over the wall in left center to drive in three runs and give the Eagles an early 3-0 lead over the Pride in the first inning. The Eagles added a fourth run in the inning on a single by Kali Case down the line into left field, making it 4-0 Boston College after one inning.
 
Hofstra clawed back into the game in the top of the third inning. With Manto on first after a two-out single, Yepez advanced Manto on a fielder's choice play, and the speedy centerfielder rounded the bases on a throwing error by the Boston College shortstop, allowing her to score and cut the margin to three runs. Hofstra had opportunities to cut into the deficit further, but they stranded four runners on base the rest of the game, including two runners in the top of the seventh, as the Eagles came away with the win.
 
Manto produced two hits on three at-bats and she stole one base against the Eagles. Becca Vaillancourt and Mackenzie Fitzgerald also tallied hits for the Pride, while Fitzgerald drew a walk and Yepez swiped one base. Anna Butler got the start in the circle but only lasted 0.2 innings before being relieved by Haley Venturini, who struck out two batters in 4.1 innings of work. Annabella Pisapia pitched the final inning for the designated road team.
 
Action resumes for the Pride at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday against UIC, followed by a 3:30 p.m. clash against Purdue from USF Softball Stadium.
 
NOTES:
-Manto is now nine stolen bases away from passing Kristin Hallam (83, 2017-21) for the most in a career at Hofstra.
-Hofstra is now 4-2 all-time against UIC and 12-11 all-time versus Boston College.
-Apsel finished with at least five strikeouts in a game for the 11th time in her Hofstra career.