Union, NJ – The Hofstra softball team battled back from a five-run deficit, but the Pride eventually fell 13-6 to Monmouth to close out the weekend series from the Cougar Softball Complex on the campus of Kean University. The loss snaps Hofstra's three-game winning streak and puts the team's record at 9-12 overall and 5-1 in the CAA, while Monmouth is now 7-14 overall and 1-5 against conference competition.
 
Monmouth scored five runs on two home runs in the first inning to take an early lead over the Pride before adding another run in the third to make it a 6-0 lead. Hofstra cut the difference to three on a three-run home run by Gemma D'Orazio in the top of the fourth inning, but Monmouth responded with a run in their half of the inning to widen the margin to four. Ryleigh Smith brought home a run and Nicole Cancel smashed a two-run home run to make it a two-run ballgame in the fifth inning, but Monmouth added another five runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of Hofstra's reach.
 
D'Orazio went 2-3 with three RBIs on Sunday, and Gabby Sultan also logged two hits against the Hawks, while Cancel drove in two RBIs. Madison Steppe recorded a strikeout in 3.1 innings, as did Emma Falen in 2.1 frames, while Kailyn Haig and Jillian Locher also saw time inside the circle.
 
Hofstra will face Yale at 1 p.m. on the road on Tuesday, March 17.
 
NOTES:
-Hofstra's five-game winning streak against Monmouth is snapped with today's result.
-D'Orazio's three RBIs tie her career-high set in the season-opener against Louisiana Monroe on February 13.
-Cancel's home run was her team-leading fourth of the season.