By Elliot Rubin -- STAFF WRITER The Hofstra Pride softball team continued its winning ways on Sunday, defeating the University of Tulsa Hurricane 4-2 to conclude the weekend.
Hofstra started off the scoring in the second inning on a passed ball issued by Tulsa, scoring shortstop Michaela Transue from third base. The Pride doubled up its lead two innings later, when in the fourth inning, second baseman Lacey Clark drove in catcher Brittany Allocca with an RBI single to left.
Hofstra scored twice more before Tulsa got on the board; Chloe Fitzgerald scored on a passed by Tulsa in the fifth, and Brittany Allocca hit an RBI single in the seventh inning to conclude the scoring for the Pride and provide them with a 4 -0 cushion. These runs would prove pivotal as Tulsa tried to mount a comeback, but ultimately fell short.
In the final frame, pinch hitter Julia Hollingsworth reached on an error for the Golden Hurricanes, scoring Kaitlin Allen. Later that inning, Rylie Spell hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Maggie Withee and cutting the Pride’s lead to 4-2, and ending the scoring for the day.
For the Pride, starter Jessica Peslak pitched six strong innings, allowing four hits, and striking out five. She also issued four walks. Peslak recorded her second win of the season, raising her record to 2-1.
Madison Grimm was the first reliever out of the bullpen for Hofstra, though she did not have the success as Peslak, Grimm allowed two runs without getting an out in the seventh inning. Courtney Scarpato later came in to clean up the damage, and she pitched a clean inning, striking out one en route to her first save of the season.
On the defensive side, Transue and Clark recorded their first errors on the season for the Pride. Horner, Edmiston, and Estocado recorded their first miscues for the Hurricanes.
For the Hurricanes, starter Emily Watson pitched six innings, allowing four hits, three runs (one earned), three walks and seven strikeouts. With the loss, Watson’s record was dropped to 1-1. Ellie Reaves pitched the final frame for Tulsa, allowing a hit and a run.
The Pride recorded five hits for the game, with Allocca leading the way, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, Fitzgerald went 1-for-4 with a run, and Lacey Clark went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
With the win, Hofstra improved to 3-2 on the season. Tulsa dropped to 3-2 with the loss.