Softball Falls to Hofstra

The Central Connecticut softball team (8-6) dropped the first game of a doubleheader Saturday against the Hofstra Pride by a score of 9-0. The Pride, who finished just one win away from the Women's College World Series last season, improve their record to 8-8.

"Hofstra is a great team," Head Coach Jeff Franquet said. "We struggled a little at the plate this morning, but we are looking forward to our game this afternoon against UConn."

Senior Nicole Springer started in the pitcher's circle for Central and takes the loss, her first of the season, dropping her record to 3-1. Classmate Jordan Tingley took to the circle in the bottom of the third to complete the game for the Blue Devils.

Junior Arielle Bruno earned the first hit of the day against 2012 First Team All-American, Olivia Galati in the top of the first. Bruno ripped a single up the middle but was followed by three outs to end the half inning.

Hofstra loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and brought in the first run of the game on a walked batter. After the run, the Blue Devil defense turned in a double play at home and first to prevent another run.

Following the defensive maneuver, a walked batter and a Central error loaded the bases and allowed three runs to cross the plate to put Hofstra up 4-0.

The Blue Devils struggled to get out of the first inning and the Pride posted two more runs to send the teams into the top of the second 6-0.

A single from freshman Hannah Cooper in the top of the second landed the Blue Devils on base and senior Sarah Emery took pinch-running position for Cooper. Emery, however, was stranded on base at the conclusion of the half inning. 

The Prides' Caryn Bailey hit a homer in the bottom of the second to bring in two runs, totaling three for the inning to increase their advantage to 9-0.

Following the pitcher change in the bottom of the third, the Blue Devils held the Pride scoreless through the fourth inning before the game ended on a mercy rule after the top of the fifth.

Central is set to play game two of today's doubleheader at 4 p.m. against the University of Connecticut Huskies (8-6). Fans can follow the action via live stats.