PJ Potter -- STAFF WRITER Hofstra’s offensive barrage continued against New Jersey Institute of Technology as they defeated the Highlanders, 13-7.
Steven Foster led the way for the Pride, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, double, and three runs batted in. He improving his batting average to a team-leading .374. Foster's hitting streak is now at nine straight games and he's scored three times and walked once.
The Pride accumulated 14 hits on the day. Brian MacDonald had another 3-hit game, his second in the past three starts and drove in four runs. In MacDonald’s last five games, he has 11 hits and eight runs batted in (14 total in 2015).
The Pride got off to an early start by plating three runners in the top of the 1st inning. David Leiderman hit a sacrifice fly that drove Foster in for the fitst run. The next batter, Brian MacDonald, lined a 2-run single to left field that made it 3-0 before Chris Bonk stepped on the mound for Hofstra.
The Highlanders put up two runs in the home half of the inning on a wild pitch to score Ed Charlton and an RBI fielder’s choice from Stephan Halibej.
Hofstra, however, was able to answer in the second inning with a 3-run home run crushed by Foster, his 2nd of the season.
The Hofstra offense drew in more five runs in the fifth inning. Dalton Rouleau started the rally with a bunt that was ruled a base hit to bring in Foster.
MacDonald continued the rally with a double down the right field line, allowing Brad Witkowski to cross home plate. Chris Weiss blasted a shot over the left field wall for his first career home run.
He finished with three hits and two RBI along with scoring two runs. Mat Annunziata was dropped in the lineup, but kept his composure. He smacked an RBI double, along with a single.
Chris Bonk started on the mound and improved his record to 3-5. He gave up four runs on seven hits, two walks, and one strikeout through four innings pitched.
Luke Noone tossed the fifth and sixth, allowing one run on two hits and a strikeout.
Kieran Ryan surrendered two runs without recording an out in the seventh and was replaced by Kevin Weissheier in the eighth. He threw two clean innings: no hits, walks, or hit batters.
Matt Weissheier closed the door for the Pride and struck out one.
For NJIT, starter James Sofield received the loss after allowing six runs in 1.2 innings. He hit two batters, walked two, and gave up three hits.
Justin Chin came in relief for the Highlanders and let up four runs in three innings. Andres Fernandez replaced Chin and lasted 1.1 innings.
Fernandez plated three runs on three hits and three walks. Brent Jones and Brandon Pilovsky combined for four strikeouts in the final three innings of the game without allowing Hofstra to score any more runs.
NJIT fell to 17-14-1 this season and Hofstra now 14-22. The Pride host LIU-Brooklyn tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.