PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 7, 2010) – Rutgers softball (12-19) fell to Hofstra (24-6) twice on Wednesday, April 7 at the RU Softball Complex, dropping game one by a score of 4-1 and edged in game two, 2-1. Sophomore Brittany Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) hit at a .333 clip for the day, driving in both runs for the Scarlet Knights.
“The girls played well today, but we need to hit,” said head coach
Jay Nelson. “It is about our timing and how we are always on our front foot. We need to work on staying back. That was very obvious in the second game because the pitcher throws a change-up that we have seen before. The good thing is we are at home and we can rest tonight and correct all the little things we aren’t doing tomorrow at practice.”
Senior Nicole Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) toed the rubber in game two, allowing two runs on eight hits, while striking out five.
Freshman Kaci Madden (Saratoga, N.Y.) was a perfect 2-for-2 in the second game.
In the second inning, the Pride strung together two hits for one run to take a 1-0 lead.
Madden smacked the ball up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the third, but the Scarlet Knights could not produce another hit.
Hofstra added another run on a solo homer by Olivia Galati in the top of the fifth.
Madden started it off n the sixth with a shot to right center field that the right fielder could not track down. Sophomore Lindsey Curran (Monroe Twp., N.J.) pinch ran for the freshman and sophomore Mikelyn Messina (Prospect, Conn.) laid a sacrifice bunt down to advance the runner. Brittany Lindley stepped up and smacked the ball up the middle for an RBI single, making the score 2-1.
Sophomore Holly Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) earned the nod in game one, giving up four runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings of work. Freshman Abbey Houston (New Egypt, N.J.) came in for relief, scattering two hits in 3.2 innings.
Hofstra started off game one with three runs on three hits in the first inning. Rachael Senatore was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and stole second. Tessa Ziemba started the rally with a RBI single and Sara Michalowski doubled to bring home two more runs.
Brittany Lindley generated some offense of her own in the bottom of the inning, smashing a two-out home run to deep center to bring the Scarlet Knights within two. It was the sophomore’s fourth long shot of the season.
The Pride added a run in the top of the third on a homer by Becca Bigler.
The Scarlet Knights mounted a comeback in the ninth, as Madden pinch hit with two outs, drawing a walk. Messina hit a blooper up the middle to put runners on first and second, but RU could not capitalize.
Galati pitched game one, earning the win and giving up one run off five hits and three walks.
Rutgers continues its home stand Saturday with a doubleheader against BIG EAST foe Connecticut. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
