Hofstra softball shuts out U Del in game one

The Hofstra University softball team beat the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 2-0 on Friday, April 19. Hofstra improved to 15-21 overall and 12-7 in the Coastal Athletic Association, while Delaware worsened to 31-9 overall and 16-3 in the CAA.

It was a pitcher’s duel for most of this one as two of the best pitchers in the conference squared off against one another. Julia Apsel got the nod from Hofstra head coach Adrienne Clark, while Emily Winburn entered the circle for the Blue Hens.

After putting runners on base in each of the first three innings and failing to capitalize on their opportunities, Hofstra broke through in the fourth. With two outs in the inning, Alanna Morse singled to right field to extend the inning. Following the single from Morse, Mackenzie Fitzgerald singled to right field, scoring Morse to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.

By the top of the seventh, the Pride still led 1-0. Alanna Morse capped off her three-for-three day with a lead-off single through the left side. Fitzgerald grounded out to third base, moving Morse into scoring position. Gabriella Sultan came off the bench to pinch hit for Chelsea Manto, and she reached on a fielding error by Veronica Diomede in left field. Morse came around to score and extend Hofstra’s lead to 2-0.

Apsel improved to 13-8 with this win over the CAA’s top team. Apsel tossed a complete game shutout while striking out seven Blue Hens. Apsel also lowered her CAA-leading ERA to 1.43. This win against Winburn, who is expected to receive plenty of votes for CAA pitcher of the year, now increases Apsel’s chances of earning the award instead. At least one more matchup between the two is anticipated this weekend, so the tables could turn.

Winburn fell to 19-4, as she surrendered two runs, one of which was earned; seven hits and two walks. Winburn fanned five batters, but the Pride made her work for every out as she allowed a base runner in every inning of the contest.

Hofstra remains in fifth place in the CAA after Stony Brook University’s win over Drexel University on Friday, April 19. It’s important to note that Elon University is right on the Pride’s tail at 11-8. A series win for Hofstra against Delaware would set them up favorably the rest of the way, with the final two series against Hampton University, 6-13, and the College of Charleston, 3-16.

The Pride was back in action on Saturday, April 20, for game two of this three-game set against the Fightin’ Blue Hens. First pitch was scheduled for 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Rob Cuni