By PJ Potter - STAFF WRITER Mat Annunziata launched his 5th home run in the 8th inning to break a 6-6 tie in game two of the series against James Madison.
The go-ahead 2-run home run was enough to hold the lead for Hofstra and take the victory, 8-6.
Both teams stormed out of the gate offensively, scoring four runs each in the 1st inning. For the Pride, Jake Fallon bunted in the first run of the game and reached on a throwing error. Brett Johnson crushed a 3-run home run a few batters later to make it a 4-0 game, his 8th blast of the season.
JMU came back to make it a tie game in the bottom half of the inning, starting with an RBI single form Chad Carroll. Then, on a failed pick off attempt, Ky Parrott walked in to score the 2nd run. Kyle Mcpherson roped a double to left field to send home Carroll.
Bobby San Martin then tied the game at four on a fielder’s choice.
Hofstra plated two more runners in the 2nd on RBI base hits to left field from Brad Witkowski and Fallon. Witkowski finished the game with three hits.
In the bottom of the 2nd, the Dukes shortened the Pride’s lead to one on an RBI ground out hit by Parrott.
Offense on both sides would remain quiet until the 7th inning. Mcpherson was credited with an RBI on a fielder’s choice to once again tie the game.
In the 8th, Mat Annunziata had the game winning hit, a home run, to right field.
Hofstra’s Alec Eisenberg improved to 5-4, tossing eight complete innings. He allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. He struck out five. Brendan Mulligan got the save, his 3rd of the year. He tossed the 9th without giving up a hit.
Derek Shifflett started for James Madison, surrendering six runs, with just two of them earned. Shifflett fanned three batters and walked two.
Colton Harlow, however, got the loss for JMU, falling to 0-4. He threw the final three innings and struck out five. Harlow gave up the home run to Annunziata in the 8th, the only hit he allowed.
Hofstra concludes their season Sunday at James Madison in a rubber match starting at 2 p.m.