FINAL SCORE
Hofstra 4 (23-30, 13-13 CAA)
Monmouth 3 (17-30, 10-16 CAA)
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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Hofstra University held off a ninth inning rally for a 4-3 win over the Monmouth University baseball team on Friday afternoon in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play.Â
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The first four innings of the game belonged to the pitchers as Monmouth's
Alec Couture and Hofstra's Carlos Martinez combined to hold the two sides to just three hits.Â
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The Hawks broke through first in the top of the fifth.
Joey Ventresca roped a two-out double to left field that allowed
Chris Andrews to score on the play.Â
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Hofstra tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the bottom half of that frame.Â
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Luke Masiuk's two-run single in the sixth gave Hofstra a 3-1 advantage. The Pride tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh and led 4-1.
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Monmouth got one of those runs back in the top of the eighth.
Trey Porter led off with a single and moved to third on
Casey Caufield's base knock.
Harry Padden lifted a sac fly to right that scored Porter and made it a 4-2 game.Â
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After a scoreless bottom of the eighth, the Hawks went to work in the top of the ninth.Â
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Monmouth loaded the bases with one out in the final frame. Pinch-hitter
Jay Bant worked a six-pitch walk that forced in a run. Pinch-runner
Chris Walsh scored on the play to make it a 4-3 game. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Hofstra turned a double play on the next batter and claimed the 4-3 victory.
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NOTES
- The all-time series between the Hawks and the Pride is now tied at 8-8.
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Casey Caufield had a pair of hits and has 15 games this season with multiple hits. He also extended his hit streak to seven straight games. Â
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Phil Stahl's ninth inning single extended his current hit streak to a season-best 15 games. Â
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Alec Couture struck out six batters for the second straight game. He has now struck out at least five batters in seven starts this season.Â
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Hofstra finished with a 9-7 edge in hits in the contest.
- Carlos Martinez earned the win for Hofstra as he went six innings and allowed one run on four hits while striking out six.Â
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Alec Couture suffered the loss for the Hawks after giving up three runs on six hits in six innings of action.
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NEXT UP
Monmouth and Hofstra wrap up the season on Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m.      Â
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