Delaware Survives Late Hofstra Surge for 7-5 Victory
Dylan Smith
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Delaware (38-15) punched its ticket to the semifinals with a 7-5 win over Hofstra (22-28) inside Amanda Littlejohn Stadium on Friday. The Blue Hens are currently facing Elon in an elimination contest on FloCollege.
Both teams got off to a busy start, beginning with a two-run opening frame from Hofstra. Dahlia Palacio knocked in a run after hitting a grounder to short and saw Alanna Morse slide into the plate safely for a 1-0 lead. Mackenzie Fitzgerald added another run by getting plunked with the bases juiced to make it 2-0.
It took just one swing of the bat for Delaware to jump ahead in the home half of the first. A single by
Chloe Blantz, followed by a walk to
Sydney Shaffer set Cahalan up for a three-run blast to left, taking a 3-2 lead.
Emma Falen came on with runners on first and second with no outs in the third. After allowing a bunt single to load the bases, the junior pounded the zone and forced three straight pop-ups in the infield, getting out of the inning unscathed. The Pride also capitalized on a Blue Hens miscue in the fifth to pull within one, 4-3.
Two-way standout
Morgan Hess helped out her own cause in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double to left-center, putting Delaware ahead by two. Gallucci brought her pitcher around to score two batters for a 6-3 lead. Shaffer added another tally in the home half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly that brought Veronica Diomede in from third for a 7-3 advantage.
Hofstra did not go down quietly starting with a leadoff walk to pinch hitter
Kellie Sandas.
Chelsea Villar launched a double to right field before an
Alanna Morse RBI single made it a 7-4 game. First baseman
Anna Butler swung at the first pitch from newly-entered Delaware reliever
Billie Kerwood and laced a single into left for a 7-5 score. The Blue Hens’ ace shut the door on the comeback effort on her own, throwing out the lead runner at third and striking out her final batter to advance.
The winner of Delaware and Elon will advance to the championship game to face Campbell on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 7
Game 1:
No. 4 Campbell 13, No. 5 Stony Brook 7
Game 2:
No. 3 Charleston 5, No. 6 Hofstra 2
Game 3:
No. 6 Hofstra 7, No. 5 Stony Brook 2
Thursday, May 8
Game 4:
No. 4 Campbell 3, No. 1 Delaware 2 (9 inn.)
Game 5:
No. 2 Elon 4, No. 3 Charleston 3
Game 6:
No. 6 Hofstra 3, No. 3 Charleston 0
Friday, May 9
Game 7:
No. 4 Campbell 6, No. 2 Elon 2
Game 8:
No. 1 Delaware 7, No. 6 Hofstra 5
Game 9: No. 1 Delaware vs. No. 2 Elon - 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
Game 10: No. 4 Campbell vs. Winner of Game 9 - 12 p.m.
Game 11: If Necessary - 2:30 p.m.
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