Hampton, VA – A 10-run first inning for the Hofstra softball team and a shutdown performance from the circle by Emma Falen helped the Pride to a 10-0 win over Hampton in five innings on Saturday to win its third consecutive CAA series. Hofstra is now 11-13 overall and 7-1 in the CAA, and Hampton drops to 6-16 overall and 1-7 in the conference.
 
Gabby Sultan drove in the first two runs of the contest with an RBI double down the right field line, followed by an RBI single through the infield by Nicole Cancel, and then Mackenzie Fitzgerald and Ryleigh Smith each batted home runs to put the score at 5-0 in the blink of an eye. Three of the next five runs came by walks with the bases loaded, while the remaining two were scored on wild pitched to put the early deficit at 10 runs for the Pirates.
 
While Hofstra was unable to add to its lead, Falen and the Hofstra defense limited Hampton to five hits and just one baserunner past second base all day. Falen racked up a season-high eight strikeouts in 80 pitches in the shutout win. Smith and Dahlia Palacio each recorded two of Hofstra's 11 hits on the day, while Sultan and Alanna Morse both drew two walks apiece.
 
The series against the Pirates concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
NOTES:
-The 10 runs are the most in an inning by Hofstra since scoring 11 in the seventh against Charleston on May 3, 2024.
-Emily Jovel recorded her first collegiate hit on a bloop single in the fourth inning.
-Palacio has hit a double in three consecutive games.
-Hofstra is now 9-0 all-time against Hampton.