Farmingdale, NY – Madison Steppe picked up her second complete game win in as many starts as the freshman pitcher went the distance in a 2-1 win for the Hofstra softball team over rival Stony Brook. Hofstra ends its first weekend of CAA action 6-10 overall and 3-0 in league play, and Stony Brook now sits at 1-15 overall and 0-3 in the conference following the third consecutive 2-1 defeat.
 
With two outs to start the first inning, Gabby Sultan smacked a double to the gap in right-center, and Sultan advanced into scoring position on an outfield single by Mackenzie Fitzgerald. Chelsea Villar brought home Sultan with a first-pitch single to left field for the game's opening run. The Pride doubled its lead to two in the third inning when Alanna Morse, who led off the inning with a triple to right field, scored on a groundout by Sultan.
 
After allowing two baserunners in the first two innings via hit-by-pitch, Steppe cruised through the Stony Brook lineup, retiring eight consecutive batters until Malorie Hill blasted a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to bring the Seawolves to within one. The first-year thrower was unphased, however, and didn't allow any of the next eight batters on base to secure the series sweep.
 
Fitzgerald was responsible for two of Hofstra's six hits on the day, while Sultan and Dahlia Palacio each hit a double and Morse logged a triple. In the circle, Steppe struck out six batters in 79 pitches.
 
Hofstra heads to Connecticut for a Wednesday doubleheader against Sacred Heart at 2 p.m. before resuming conference play with a three-game series at Monmouth beginning on March 13.
 
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 27-14 all-time against Stony Brook and 11-6 against the Seawolves as CAA rivals since 2023.
-Hofstra outhit Stony Brook 21-8 throughout the series.
-Fitzgerald stole the second base of her career in the third inning.
-Morse's triple was the third of her career.