JERSEY CITY, NJ– The Saint Peter's softball team (4-21) fell by a combined score of 13-8 in a midweek non-conference doubleheader against Hofstra at Jaroschak Field. The Peacocks battled throughout the afternoon but were unable to hold onto the lead in the nightcap.
Brielle Coppola (0-6) was credited with the loss in game one, pitching six innings while allowing five earned runs on five hits. Saint Peter's bats were active early, totaling 10 hits compared to Hofstra's five, but the Peacocks struggled bringing runners home, stranding seven runners to the Pride's two.
Paige Seemon put together an impressive outing, going 3-for-4, becoming just the third Peacock this season to record three hits in a game, while also adding a run scored and an RBI.
Bella Nutting launched her first collegiate home run, becoming the third Peacock to homer this season and the third freshman to record a home run while driving in two runs.
Ava White (0-5) was credited with the loss in game two, allowing five earned runs on eight hits. While the Peacocks were hot to start the nightcap, their bats cooled as the game progressed, combining for just one hit after their four-run first inning.
Olivia Christopher paced the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, adding a run scored and the Peacocks' lone RBI of the nightcap.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE
The Pride opened game one of the doubleheader with a pair of doubles, a stolen base, a single, and a groundout to take a 3-0 lead.
Hofstra extended its lead to 4-0 in the third after a Peacock fielding error put a runner on first. The runner stole second and third before scoring on a sacrifice fly.
Saint Peter's cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third with a two-out rally and three consecutive hits.
Kiana Kadena Matsuda doubled to center field, and
Paige Seemon followed with a single to get the Peacocks on the board.
Carlee Charles then singled to shortstop, allowing Seemon to use her speed to score from second and make it 4-2.
Hofstra added three insurance runs in the fourth after another Peacock error and a walk put runners on base. Alanna Morse then launched a three-run homer to extend the Pride's lead to 7-2.
Morse added another home run in the sixth to give Hofstra a 9-2 advantage. The Peacocks responded in the bottom half of the inning with a two-out, two-run homer from
Bella Nutting to cut the deficit to 9-4.
Gabriella Rivera entered in the seventh and retired the Pride's 3-4-5 hitters in order. Saint Peter's threatened in the final frame with singles from
Hannah Klotz and Seemon, but a fielder's choice and two popups ended the game in favor of Hofstra.
GAME TWO
Game two opened in Saint Peter's favor, as the Peacocks retired Hofstra in the top of the first while allowing just one hit. In the bottom half of the inning, Saint Peter's erupted for four runs.
A walk and a pair of singles, along with stolen bases from
Hannah Klotz, Kiana Kadena Matsuda, and
Paige Seemon, gave Saint Peter's a 1-0 lead. A one-out single from
Olivia Christopher drove in Kadena Matsuda to make it 2-0. Another walk loaded the bases, and a fielder's choice turned error allowed two more runs to score for a 4-0 advantage.
After
Ava White retired the side in the second, Hofstra threatened in the third with a walk and a double to put runners in scoring position. White escaped the jam with three consecutive groundouts.
The Peacocks were retired in order in the second, third, and fourth innings.
Hofstra cut the deficit in half in the fifth with a two-out rally sparked by a walk and three consecutive singles.
In the sixth, Hofstra took its first lead of the game with four singles, a stolen base, a walk, and a wild pitch to go ahead 6-4 entering the final inning.
Saint Peter's was retired in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, securing the sweep for Hofstra.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks return to Jaroschak Field this weekend to host MAAC opponent Canisius, April 3-4. Friday's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m., followed by game two at 2 p.m. The series concludes Saturday at noon.
All contests will be streamed on Peacock Digital Network.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
