Hofstra baseball squashed by NJIT

The Hofstra University baseball team was soundly defeated 19-7 at the hands of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders in a midweek matchup on Tuesday, April 23, in Little Falls, New Jersey. The loss dropped the Pride to below the .500 mark to 26-27 overall on the year.

Pitching was once again a struggle for the Pride, as all five pitchers who entered the game at length were unable to stay ahead in the count, leading to an NJIT offensive onslaught. Starter Cade Henry had a rough game in just his second start on the year where he only lasted 3.2 innings while allowing five runs.

The Hofstra bullpen was unable to provide any stability. Four Pride relievers gave up two or more earned runs that night. Freshman Nicholas Apollo made his pitching debut, striking out the only batter he faced.

The Hofstra offense was able to keep the Pride in the game in the early innings. The hitters finished the night with 14 hits and six walks. Second baseman Dylan Palmer continued his stellar season with three hits, including an RBI single in the fifth.

The Pride jumped out to an early lead on a two-run home run by graduate student Santino Rosso in the first. Keeping the rally going, reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) rookie of the week Joseph Mennella stayed hot, driving in the third run of the frame to give the Pride a 3-0 lead as Henry took the mound.

Henry pitched a clean first and escaped the second with only one run surrendered. After a clean third from both sides, things went wayward for Hofstra’s relievers. From the fourth to sixth innings, NJIT scored 16 of their 19 runs, including a grand slam by Cade Ladehoff to blow the contest open. The Highlanders’ 17 hits were just one shy of their season-high 18 which they had against the Saint Peter’s University Peacocks on Wednesday, April 17.

By the eighth inning, NJIT pulled a majority of their starters and were able to take the comfortable victory.

For the Highlanders’ pitching, Aaron Park was spotless, having one and two-thirds no-hit innings. However, they also had trouble getting long relief outings like the Pride. All other relievers surrendered at least one run on the night.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Rob Cuni