FINAL SCORE 
Hofstra 8 (8-13, 1-0 CAA)
Monmouth 6 (9-12, 0-1 CAA)

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University baseball team pulled to within one run in the seventh but could not come all the way back and fell to Hofstra University, 8-6 on Friday afternoon. The game served as the home opener and the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opener for the Hawks.
 
Monmouth scored a run in the bottom of the first, but Hofstra responded with two runs in the top of the second and took a one run lead, 2-1.
 
The Hawks grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the second. Nick Lovarco led off with a single and came around to score as Brendan Buecker stole second and took third on the throwing error. That allowed Lovarco to tie the game up. Buecker touched home on Harry Padden's RBI groundout, which gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead.
 
Hofstra used a four-run fourth inning to grab a 6-3 lead. Dylan Palmer's two run single highlighted the frame for the Pride. 
 
Monmouth scored two in the bottom of the seventh and pulled to within one, 6-5. Chris Walsh reached on a fielders choice and Andrew Schmid scored on the play. Casey Caufield scored on a wild pitch in the frame.
 
Hofstra scored two in the top of the eighth and increased its lead to 8-5.
 
The Hawks got one back in the bottom of the eighth as Simmi Whitehill delivered a pinch-hit single that scored Wyatt Hunt. However, that was as close as the Hawks could get as Hofstra closed out an 8-6 win.

NOTES 
- It was the 18th meeting all-time between Monmouth and Hofstra. The all-time series is tied at 9-9 as Hofstra has won three of the last four meetings.
- It was the latest home opener for the Hawks since the 2022 season when it also took till the 21st game for the Hawks to play at home. 
- Casey Caufield had a pair of hits and has now reached base safely in 17 straight games.
- Chris Andrews extended his hit streak to six straight games, his longest of the season. 
- Brendan Buecker had a hit and has now reached base safely in 10 straight games.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Harry Padden recorded his team-leading 11th stolen base of the year. 
- Casey Caufield had two hits for his 11th multi-hit game of the season.
- The Hawks outhit the Pride 12-6 in the game. 
- Brendan Kenneally matched his longest out of the season at 3.1 innings of work. 
- Three Monmouth pitchers combined for nine strikeouts, the third highest total of the season. 
- Jackson Bauer earned the win for Hofstra as he went six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. 
- Kevin Opanel took the loss for the Hawks as he gave up six runs in four innings of work. 

NEXT UP
Monmouth and Hofstra will play the middle game of its weekend series on Saturday, Mar. 22. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.