By Victoria Mickens -- STAFF WRITER The Hofstra Pride baseball team swept the Coppin State Eagles with a 15-0 win on Sunday afternoon at the Harford Sports Complex.
The recent three straight wins put Hofstra at 3-7 overall, breaking the team’s worst opening losing streak since 2011.
Hofstra was already up by three in the top of the first inning. Steven Foster (sophomore outfielder), Brad Witkowski (junior infielder) and Vito Friscia (freshman centerfielder) scored after sophomore outfielder Mat Annunziata hit a bases-clearing double to left field.
The Pride continued to rack up points through to the eighth while Hofstra’s pitching dismantled Coppin State with no answer backs.
The Pride scored three runs in the fourth inning, one in the fifth and three in the sixth, which extended Hofstra’s lead to 12-0. The Pride added two in the seventh and one in the eighth as extra insurance.
Hofstra totaled 49 runs on 42 hits altogether this weekend. Teddy Cillis did well as he went 3-for-6 and crossed the plate three times. Ryan Karl (2-for-3), Witkowski (2-for-4) and Annunziata (2-for-4) each produced multiple-hit performances. Annunziata led the Pride with four RBIs while Witkowski, Karl and Chris Hardardt drove in two RBIs apiece.
Senior pitcher Bowie Matteson pitched five scoreless innings; he gave up only four base hits and walked one batter.
Freshman John Rooney took his place on the mound in the top of the sixth and struck out five in two innings. Chris Bonk posted two strikeouts during his relief appearance and Brendan Mulligan closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.
The Pride will be at it again in WestPoint, NY, to take on the Army this Wednesday at 3 p.m.