College of Charleston
Hofstra
Charleston Softball Takes Two from Hofstra on Saturday
5/1/2016 12:30:00 AM | Softball
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.– The College of Charleston softball team drew 15 walks between two games, including five by Sara Garcia, as the Cougars defeated Hofstra twice on Saturday, 4-3, and, 4-2.
The College (30-21, 8-9) has now won six of their last seven, and has made important strides towards moving up in the Colonial Athletic Association standings. Against the Pride (24-20, 8-8), Taylor DuPree led all batters with three hits on the day, and stole a base, her 25th of the season. She is now just one stolen base shy of tying the CofC record for the most in program history; a record she set last season. Jordin Jones also hit a home run, her seventh of the season, and the fourth in the last 10 days.
“I am super proud of our team and how we played today.” Head coach Linda Kalfatis said. “We have been playing like one of the hottest teams in the CAA right now, and that showed against a Hosftra team that always plays us tough.”
Game 1: Charleston 4, Hofstra 3
The first game of the double-header proved to be a defensive struggle for most of the game, and lasted an impressive three hours. The Cougars drew a season-high eight walks, and totaled five hits, but they left 11 runners on base. Kashmir Huckaby led all batters with three walks and a double on the day.
Hofstra scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning on a Madison Ambush home run. Charleston tied the game in the top of the fourth, but would only hold the lead for a short time, as the Pride retook the lead with another run in the bottom of the fourth. Hofstra added another run in the bottom of the fifth, good for a 3-1 lead.
The College made its move in the top of the sixth though, when then racked up three runs on two hits, an error, and three walks. Taylor DuPree drove in one run, Kelly Sinclair reached on the error and a runner made it home, and Sara Garcia hit a hard grounder that allowed a third run to score. Charleston would hold that lead to the finish.
Samantha Martin started in the circle for CofC, pitching 5.1 innings, and picking up her team-leading 14th win of the season. She struck out three batters and allowed only four hits and one earned run. Valerie Cassell came in the game in relief in the fourth inning, and pitched 1.2 innings before Martin would come back in to finish the game.
Game 2: Charleston 4, Hofstra 2
The Cougars saved their best performance for the twilight matchup, as they dominated the Pride from start to finish, although things got a little scary in the bottom of the seventh. Taylor DuPree led all batters with two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base. Jordin Jones hit her seventh home run of the season, and drew two walks as well.
Charleston took the first lead of the game in the top of the third with a Kelly Sinclair double that brought home Carly Hansis from second base. CofC added two more runs in the top of the sixth on back-to-back RBI singles by Madison Brown and DuPree with the bases loaded. Jones added her solo homer in the seventh for good measure.
The Pride would not go down without a fight, as they scored two runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Sydney Shipley picked up the start, and the win for The College going a complete seven innings. She maintained a no-hitter through the first 4.2 innings before allowing her first hit of the game. Shipley struck out three, and allowed only one earned run.
What's Up Next
Charleston is scheduled to play Hofstra in a third and final game on Sunday, May 1 at noon. There is rain in the forecast though, so stay tuned to CofCSports.com for any amendments to the schedule for Sunday. You can also follow the College of Charleston softball team on Twitter at @CofCSoftball for additional information and updates.
-www.CofCSports.com-
