Hofstra Hopes To Continue Momentum In NCAA Tournament Opener At North Carolina
Rob Washburn
Live Stats Watch On ESPN+
Riding the momentum from a season-best nine-game winning streak and its first CAA Baseball Championship, Hofstra opens play in the NCAA Baseball Championship on Friday afternoon against No. 10 national seed and host North Carolina. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN+.
The Pride (30-21) is making its inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament after capturing its first conference title in program history last Sunday by edging Northeastern, 7-6. Hofstra won all four CAA Tournament games by one run in its final at-bat, including three walk-off victories. The Pride has won nine games on walk-offs this season.
Hofstra is led offensively by first-team All-CAA outfielder Brian Morrell, who is batting .352 with 13 doubles, eight homers and a team-best 39 RBI’s. Will Kennedy (.331, 11 doubles, 22 RBI’s) and Kevin Bruggeman (.298, 6 HR, 32 RBI’s) have also had strong seasons for a Pride squad that batted a CAA-best .294 in conference games this season.
On the mound, first-team All-CAA honoree Brad Camarda continued an outstanding season by earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the CAA Tournament. The senior, who is 8-1 with a 3.46 ERA, appeared in three of the Pride’s four tournament games and gave up five runs in 15.0 innings of work. Starter Mark Faello (7-3, 4.48 ERA) was also named to the All-Tournament squad after limiting UNCW to two runs in 7.0 innings in his lone start. All-CAA pick Michael O’Hanlon (3-2, 6 saves, 3.76 ERA) is the Pride closer.
The Pride faces a formidable challenge in North Carolina (38-19), which claimed the ACC championship. The Tar Heels, who are on a seven-game winning streak, are appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the 34
th time and fifth year in a row. Danny Serretti (.370, 7 HR, 45 RBI’s), Vance Honeycutt (.284, 21 HR, 49 RBI’s) and Alberto Osuna (.264, 19 HR, 53 RBI’s) top a UNC offense that has belted 86 home runs. Max Carlson (3-2, 3.64 ERA) and Brandon Schaeffer (7-2, 3.70 ERA) lead the UNC pitching staff.
SEC member Georgia (35-21) and Atlantic 10 champion VCU (40-18) are also competing in the Chapel Hill Regional.
2021 NCAA Chapel Hill Regional Schedule
Friday, June 3
Game 1: #1 North Carolina (38-19) vs. #4 Hofstra (30-21) - 2 p.m.
Game 2: #2 Georgia (35-21) vs. #3 VCU (40-18) - 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 4
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 - 1 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 5
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – 1 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 – 6 p.m.
Monday, June 6
Game 7, if necessary, TBA