Hempstead, NY – In a low-scoring game that featured a combined six strikeouts and nine hits, the Hofstra softball team dropped a 1-0 decision to Towson from Bill Edwards Stadium.
The loss drops Hofstra to 2-18 overall and 1-4 in the CAA, while Towson improves to 9-13 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
As the two sides combined for five runners left on base through the first two innings, Towson's only run of the contest came in the third inning. After a lead-off walk and a one-out single put runners on first and second, Towson's Cara Bohner took advantage of a Hofstra throwing error to score from second. Towson loaded the bases with two outs, but
Carley Ernst got herself out the jam by striking out Kaci Benton on three pitches.
Hofstra continued to get runners into threatening positions, putting two Pride players on base in the third inning and one in the fifth, but they couldn't bring them home to even the game. Hofstra's best chance of the contest came in the top of the seventh inning;
Victoria Frobosilo drew a lead-off walk, and
Sophia Polzella delivered a double over the outfielder's outstretched arm in right field.
Gemma D'Orazio was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out, but
Chelsea Villar struck out and
Dahlia Palacio flied out to left field to end the game.
The Pride recorded seven hits against the Tigers, with Villar leading the way with two. D'Orazio, Gallagher, Polzella,
Anna Butler, and
Alanna Morse also drew hits against Towson's pitchers. Despite the loss, Ernst pitched one of the best games of her young career, limiting the Tigers to only two hits on 116 pitches with four walks and an unearned run while stranding nine Tigers on the basepaths.
The series between the Pride and the Tigers wraps up on Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m.
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 83-27 all-time against Towson.
-
Carmella Gallagher stole the first base of her collegiate career.
-This was Villar's seventh multi-hit game this season and the ninth of her career.
-D'Orazio has reached base safely in seven consecutive games and Morse is now on a five-game hitting streak.
