By PJ Potter - STAFF WRITER The Pride opened up their last series with a 10-7 loss to James Madison.
The Dukes (17-28) scored in just two innings, but that was all that was needed, scoring six runs in the 2nd inning and four in the 5th.
Josh Wyatt, who went to 2-for-3, started the barrage with a 2-run base hit to right field to put JMU up 2-0. Michael Sciorra matched Wyatt’s hit with an RBI single though the right side. He also finished with two hits.
Kevin Husum doubled home a run and Ky Parrott grounded in to a fielder’s choice to make the score 5-0. Chad Carroll topped off the inning with an RBI base hit as part of his three hit game.
Hofstra answered in the top of the 3rd with five runs. Mat Annunziata and Brad Witkowski hit back-to-back RBI singles to open the scoring for the Pride. Steven Foster pulled a double down the right field line to bring in Annunziata.
Dalton Rouleau sent one back up the middle to score Witkowski and shorten James Madison’s lead to two. Rouleau went 2-for-5 in his final series opener. Brett Johnson made it 6-5 on a sacrifice fly to center field.
JMU’s next big inning came in the 5th and started with a Kyle Weston single to score Parrott. Weston went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored.
James Madison’s own Brett Johnson got his only hit of the game, a triple, in the 5th to plate two runners. Bobby San Martin brought home the 4th run on a sacrifice fly.
Hofstra would not go down without a fight. They came around again in the top of the 8th to score two runs. Annunziata found the gap in right center to send Jake Fallon in to score. Foster then accounted for his 2nd RBI of the game on a sac fly to left field.
Jake Fallon and Chris Hardardt both notched two hits and two runs. Hardardt doubled in the 4th.
Mark Gunst received the win, now 3-3 in three innings of relief. He shut down the Pride with just one hit allowed and struck out four. Eric Yankey tossed the last four innings and earned his 4th save of the year. He fanned six batters and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk.
Aaron Hoover started for James Madison and lasted two innings after surrendering five runs on seven hits.
For Hofstra (18-28), Bowie Matteson got the start and lost his 3rd game. He gave up six runs on five hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Chris Bonk threw the next 4.1 innings and allowed four runs.
Nick Kozlowski and Kevin Weissheier each pitched one inning and gave up no runs. They each struck out one batter.