By PJ Potter - ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Towson unloaded for a season-high in runs against the Hofstra baseball team in the opening game of the series to defeat the Pride 15-4 at Schuerholz Park in Maryland.
The Tigers improved to 10-16 and 1-0 in conference in great credit to two five-run innings lead by centerfielder A.J. Gallo, who had a three hit day and five runs batted in.
After a RBI double by Colin Gimblet in the bottom of the first, Towson stunned Hofstra with a five-spot in the third inning.
Trey Martinez scored on a wild pitch to begin the scoring against Hofstra’s Chris Weiss, who gave up a bases clearing triple to Gallo to make it 5-2.
Colin Dyer, who went 2-for-5, picked up a bunt single to cap the inning, bringing in Gallo to score.
Two innings later, the Tigers amassed another five runs off Weiss, who fell to 1-2 this season.
Two-run home runs by designated hitter Chris Henze and Martinez, plus a RBI single from Richard Miller pushed the Tigers’ lead to 11-2, knocking Weiss out of the game.
Weiss finished his day allowing 11 runs (nine earned) on nine hits, three walks and two wild pitches. He also hit a batter and struck out one.
A.J. Gallo extended the lead to eight runs in the sixth inning with a single to right field.
In the eighth, the Tigers plated three more runners off a double by Gallo and a two-run error from the Pride.
Hofstra (6-20, 0-3) scored all four of its runs from two-run home runs by Ryan Karl and Mat Annunziata, which topped a 3-for-3 day for him at the plate, furthering his hitting streak to six games. Karl now has three home runs this year and Annunziata is currently tied for a team-high four long balls.
For the Pride, freshman Vito Friscia batted 2-for-4 and Kevin O’Connor reached base twice on walks.
Skyler Morris was given his first win of the season, going 5.2 innings and allowing four runs. He scattered eight hits, two wild pitches, one walk and two strikeouts. Garrett Walther earned his first save, shutting the Pride out in the final 3.1 innings.
The two teams square off again tomorrow, beginning at 2 p.m.