By PJ Potter - STAFF WRITER Casey Golden launched a 2-run home run in the top of the 8th for UNCW to break a 6-6 tie to claim victory in the first game of three, beating Hofstra, 8-7.
The Seahawks, ranked 25th in the country by d1baseball.com, have now won eight consecutive games to improve to 26-8 (9-1 in CAA).
Though this team has an intimidating demeanor, Hofstra did not sit back and let them take over the game. The Pride continued to hit the ball well, totaling 11 hits in the match-up.
Brad Witkowski went 1-for-5, which was good enough to keep his hitting streak alive at ten games. Dalton Rouleau had three hits and an RBI single. He now has nine hits in his last four games.
David Leiderman once again found a way to drive in another runner to make it 18 RBI over the last six games (25 on the season). Brett Johnson belted his 4th home run this year on a solo shot to right field. In the last four games, he has compiled seven hits, two of them coming in this game.
The big hit for Hofstra came in the bottom of 6th inning down 6-3 with two men on base. Brian MacDonald smashed his first home run this season to left field to tie the game for the Pride.
Chris Hardardt sent a runner home on a sacrifice fly, but that was not enough to overcome UNCW’s lead.
Bowie Matteson started for Hofstra and threw 4.2 innings. He allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits and a walk. Brendan Mulligan came in relief for 2.2 innings while striking out three and surrendering one run. However, that was all it took for him receive his first loss (1-1).
For the Seahawks, their first five hitters combined for 13 of their 15 hits. Leadoff hitter Steven Linkous went 4-for-5 with a run scored. Luke Dunlap finished with three hits and a run. Zach Shields, Casey Golden, and Gavin Stupienski (3,4,5 hitters) each had two hits and produced for seven RBI.
Nick Monroe was given the start for UNC-Wilmington, going 5.1 innings to give up five runs on seven hits. Jordan Ramsey got the win (3-1) and maintained UNCW’s best ERA at 1.55 in three innings of work.