Buies Creek, NC –
Alanna Morse was responsible for the tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth inning as the Hofstra softball team came from behind to win 3-2 against Campbell in the second game of a three-game series from Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
The win improves Hofstra to 8-20 overall and 5-6 in league play, while Campbell drops to 22-10 overall and 8-3 in the CAA.
The Fighting Camels opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning, followed by a run on a sacrifice flyout to make it 2-0. Hofstra clawed a run back when
Lily Yepez, who reached third base on a lead-off triple to begin the third inning, scored on a groundout by
Dahlia Palacio.
With
Carley Ernst dealing and not allowing another Campbell baserunner to cross home plate while stranding five opposing runners on base since the first inning,
Mackenzie Fitzgerald opened the sixth inning with a single to the outfield and
Gemma D'Orazio reached first safely on an infield bunt single, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Morse stepped to the plate and sent a 1-1 pitch to the center field wall, scoring Fitzgerald to even the score at 2-2. With runners on second and third and one out, Morse took advantage of an error on a pick-off attempt to score the go-ahead run.
Ernst, and later
Emma Falen two batters into the bottom of the sixth inning, and the Hofstra defense kept the Pride on top late in the game, with Morse making a diving play at second base to get the out and strand two Campbell base runners. Falen ended the game with a 1-2-3 seventh inning to preserve Hofstra's fourth CAA win in five games.
Morse recorded two of Hofstra's seven hits on the day, while the Pride also saw D'Orazio, Fitzgerald, Palacio, Yepez, and
Chelsea Villar deliver hits. Ernst picked up her first collegiate win with three strikeouts against two runs and four hits allowed in five innings, and Falen pitched the final two innings and struck out two Campbell batters.
The first pitch for Sunday's series finale against the Fighting Camels is scheduled for 12 p.m.
NOTES:
-Hofstra now leads the all-time series against Campbell, 2-1.
-This was the fourth multi-hit game of the season for Morse.
-This was Hofstra's first win this season when trailing after five innings.
