Galati Stikeouts 11, Top-Seed Hofstra Edges Delaware, 2-1
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (May 10, 2012) - CAA Pitcher of the Year
Olivia Galati gave up three hits, recording 11 strikeouts and senior third
baseman Krista Thorn posted a RBI-double in
the bottom of the sixth inning as top-seeded Hofstra edged fourth-seeded
Delaware, 2-1, in the opening game of the 2012 CAA Softball Championship at the
Hofstra Softball Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y.
With the win, Hofstra improves to 36-13 on the year and
advances through to the winner's bracket to play the winner of No. 2 James
Madison/No. 3 Georgia State contest at noon on Friday. The Blue Hens fell to
15-40-1 on the season and will meet the Dukes/Panthers
loser at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. The fifth game of the championship will be played
at 5:00 p.m. between the loser of the noon game and the winner of the 2:30 p.m.
contest.
Thorn was 2-for-3 to lead the Pride offensively. Three other
Hofstra players also recorded a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including Galati,
junior shortstop Becca Bigler and freshman designated hitter Erin Trippi.
Three Delaware players recorded hits, including sophomore
infielder Michelle McKinnon, junior Marisa Newman and freshman infielder Maggie
Creciun. Junior pitcher Chenxi Jiao (8-24)
struck out five and gave up nine hits in the loss.
Hofstra took a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the third
inning. Sophomore second baseman Tori Rocha earned a walk and then advanced to
third on a Rachel Senatore double in deep center field. Bigler knocked a single
to left field, scoring Rocha from third base to give the Pride an early lead.
Delaware started a rally in the top of the sixth, as Creciun
singled to right field. After advancing to second base, McKinnon singled for
the Blue Hens and after a Hofstra throwing error up the first base line,
Creciun scored the game's tying run to even the score at 1-1.
The Pride responded quickly in the bottom of the sixth, as
Trippi singled. Thorn stepped up and provided the game-winning RBI with a
double to left center field, scoring Trippi to give Hofstra the lead for good.
Galati closed out the
victory, with a one-two-three seventh inning to preserve her 28th
victory of the season (28-5).