Pride cruise to doubleheader sweep vs. Hampton

The Hofstra Pride softball team traveled to Virginia where they swept the doubleheader with the Hampton University Pirates on Saturday, April 15. The Pride won game one by a score of 8-2 and game two with a 4-3 victory. Hofstra improves to 17-22 overall, 9-5 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA play) and have increased their win streak to three. Hampton fell to 12-22 overall and 2-11 in the conference as they remained in last place in the CAA, while the Pride stay in fourth place.

Alanna Morse started the scoring for Hofstra in the second inning with a double to left center, scoring Angelina Ioppolo from third. With bases loaded and one out in the inning, Kasey Collins, who leads the team in batting average, reached on a fielder's choice which scored Alanna Morse. The Pride led 2-1 at the end of the second inning and never lost their lead.  

Hofstra added four insurance runs in the top of seventh which started with a single down the third base line by Collins, scoring Alanna Morse and Becca Vaillancourt. With two outs in the inning, Meghan Giordano singled, scoring Collins and McKevitt, increasing their lead to 8-2.

Alanna Morse, Giordano and Collins all recorded a multi-hit game and all three recorded at least two RBIs. Giordano, who leads the CAA in home runs (12) and is second on the team in batting average, increased her average to .314. Collins who is first on the Pride in  batting average, raised hers to .322.

The Pride fell behind early in game two as the Pirates put together a three-run inning in the first. Janae Lyles singled up the middle, scoring Kayla Domon. Brooke Williams hit a sacrifice fly ball down the left field line that scored Carmynn Bonnor from third, increasing their lead to 2-0.  Hampton capped off their three-run inning with a single from Camryn Thompson that scored Bonner.

Hofstra managed to come back despite falling behind early and took the lead in the fifth inning. With one out in the fifth, Giordano doubled to right center, scoring Chelsea Manto and Collins as they took a 4-3 lead.  

Emma Brennan’s day on the mound ended early after giving up three runs on five hits in only 0.2 innings of work. Annabella Pisapia entered the game with two outs in the first and pitched 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, one walk to go along with two strikeouts. 

In the doubleheader, Collins went four for eight, knocked in three runs and scored twice and Giordano went four for eight with four RBI’s and one run scored. This middle infield duo for the Pride leads the team in batting average, OPS, runs scored, hits and total bases.

Hofstra will seek their fourth consecutive victory and their second CAA sweep on Sunday, April 16 with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Gorchov