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Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
STARKVILLE, MS - February 13, 2026 - The game between the Hofstra Pride and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Ivy Rose Ball
Ivy Rose Ball
Nick Gallello had three hits and three RBIs in the season opener
5
Hofstra HOFSTRA 0-1
6
Winner Mississippi State MSU 1-0
Hofstra HOFSTRA
0-1
5
Final
6
Mississippi State MSU
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Hofstra HOFSTRA 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 5 10 1
Mississippi State MSU 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 X 6 3 1

W: Duke Stone (1-0) L: Martinez, Carlos (0-1) S: Ben Davis (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Len Skoros

Hofstra Battles No. 4/6 Mississippi State In One-Run Loss

Starkville, MS - Nick Gallello and Gabriel Melara each had three hits for Hofstra, with Gallello knocking in three runs, but No. 4/6 Mississippi State overcame a two-run deficit and then held off the Pride, 6-5, Friday night at Dudy Noble Field in the 2026 season opener for both teams. The Bulldogs managed just three hits in the game.

Hofstra (0-1) opened the scoring in the fourth inning as CJ Griggs singled and went to third on a double from Melara. Gallello followed with an opposite field single through the right side to drive in both runners for a 2-0 lead. 

The Bulldogs (1-0) got to Hofstra starter Carlos Martinez, who was making his first start after missing all of last year due to injury, in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead. A single, a walk, and a groundout put runners on second and third with two outs for Reed Stallman. The Mississippi State designated hitter came through with a double to tie the score at two. Two wild pitches allowed Stallman to come in with the go-ahead run and the Bulldogs would add a fourth on a throwing error. 

The Pride got a run back in the top of the fifth as Danny Corona doubled in Tyler Castrataro, who had walked. But Mississippi State tacked on two more runs in their turn at bat to take a 6-3 lead. The Bulldogs loaded the bases without a hit and Stallman drew a bases loaded walk from Maddon McArthur and then a balk plated the final run of the night for the home team.

Gallello singled in Melara in the sixth and the Pride put the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth but managed only one run on a deep sacrifice fly from Tyler Cox to make it a 6-5 game. 

Martinez (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over 3 â…” innings. He allowed two hits and three walks, and had five strikeouts. Nick Reese allowed two runs in one inning of work, while McArthur (1 â…“) and Brayden Gregg (2) did not allow runs in their appearances.

Mississippi State reliever Duke Stone (1-0) was credited with the win, allowing two runs on three hits over two innings. Ben Davis allowed one run over the final three innings for the save. 

The teams will conclude the series Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. (EST), a change in the schedule due to rain predicted for Sunday.  

Notes:
-This was the first meeting between Hofstra and Mississippi State.
-The Pride collected 10 hits on the night. 
-Melara, a transfer from Skyline College, had two doubles, a single and two runs scored in his Hofstra debut.
-The Pride had four doubles on the night with Corona and Michael Brown hitting two-baggers.
-Gallello's three hits and three RBIs were both career bests. 
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