By P.J. Potter - Staff Writer Hofstra pitching was unable to hold up against Army in their home opener in West Point last Wednesday, losing 12-4.
Patrick Bryant (0-1, 12.27 ERA) lasted a mere three innings in his second career start for the Pride. Bryant let up four runs in the third inning on four hits and one hit by pitch, giving up five runs overall.
Army outfielders Jacob Page and Alex Dickerson each finished the game with three RBI. Page went 3-for-5 with a double. Ryan Levenhagen also had three hits for the Black Knights along with two RBI.
The Pride crossed their first run of the game in the 5th off of Eric Ferguson’s solo home run. Going into the 9th, they were trailing 12-1. Brett Johnson was able to send a fly ball to center field, bringing in Brad Witkowski on a sacrifice fly. A few batters later, Brian MacDonald smacked a two run double to shorten Army’s lead to eight.
Coach Russo had to bring in seven different pitchers over the course of the game. After Bryant, Luke Noone came in relief for the first time in 17 days, giving up three runs in 1.2 innings. Hofstra pitchers managed to hold Army to no runs until the 8th inning, when Matt Weissheier allowed three, including a two run double.
For Army, Garrison Franklin was credited with his first victory this season, surrendering one run and striking out three in five innings of work.
For the Pride, MacDonald and Witkowski had two hits each.
Hofstra’s record is now 10-17 this season.