March 27, 2003

ON DECK: The Seawolves take on Hofstra today in a non-conference doubleheader. Stony Brook swept Sacred Heart in Tuesday's doubleheader to improve to 8-13 on the year. Hofstra defeated Monmouth 10-1 in the Pride's last outing.

SERIES HISTORY: Hofstra leads the all-time series 6-1 and won last year's meeting 3-2.

ABOUT THE PRIDE: Hofstra (13-10) has won its last three games and five of its last six. Amanda Hallaway bats .378 to lead the Pride at the plate and also has a team-high 17 RBI to her credit. Heather Brousseau's 21 hits leads the team, while Danielle Stewart has belted seven homers. On the mound, Sara DeAngelis has seen the most action, starting nine games and pitching 54.2 innings. She has an ERA of 2.30.

LAST MEETING-April 30, 2002: Amanda Hallaway hit an RBI single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning as Hofstra rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Stony Brook 3-2 at Hofstra Softball Stadium. Hofstra trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning under rainy conditions, but Heather Brousseau led off with a bunt single to start the game-winning rally. Danielle Stewart bunted Brousseau over to second, and Meaghan Almon drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Brousseau then came all the way around to score from second base on a wild pitch from Stony Brook starter Stephanie Poetzsch, while Almon advanced to third base. Hallaway then followed with a line drive single to left to break the tie and give the Pride the victory.

LAST TIME OUT: Stony Brook opened its 2003 home schedule on a high note, sweeping Sacred Heart in a doubleheader at University Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Seawolves recorded a 3-2 victory in game one and shut out the Pioneers in the nightcap, 5-0. Marissa Servello had an outstanding day, going 2-for-5 at the plate with four RBI. Stephanie DiBiase was 2-for-6 with a run scored, while Kristen Brust smashed her sixth homerun of the season. Angela Andrews (4-8) picked up the win in game one, allowing two runs on six hits with two strikeouts. In game two, Jessica Paparella (4-5) earned the win, allowing just four hits and striking out two for the shutout victory.

BRUST'S BAT: Sophomore Kristen Brust has gotten off to a solid start this season after an impressive freshman campaign. Brust ranked among the top performers in the first set of America East statistics, released Monday. Before Tuesday's games, Brust led the league in RBI (14), doubles (6), homeruns (5) and total bases (44). She was also second in hits (23) and runs scored (14). Her batting average of .390 was third-best in the conference.

SEAWOLVES IN THE STATS: Several other Seawolves also ranked in the America East statistics. Stephanie DiBiase was first in runs scored (15), third in total bases (32) and third in hits (22). Jane Stein's 14 RBI was tied for first with Kristen Brust, while Laura Bradford's 11 was second. Stein was also second in homeruns (4) and second in total bases (36).

AIMING FOR THE FENCES: Last season, Stony Brook set a new single season record with 26 homeruns, and the Seawolves are well on their way to setting a new mark this year. After only 21 games, the Seawolves have crushed 15 homeruns, led by Kristen Brust's six. Brust recorded four dingers last season.

ON THE MOUND: Both Jessica Paparella and Angela Andrews gave solid performances on the mound against Sacred Heart on Tuesday, allowing just two runs combined. Paparella enjoyed her second complete-game shutout with a 5-0 victory.

STEPPING UP DEFENSIVELY: After recording four errors in their previous game against George Mason, a 4-1 loss, the Seawolves were much sharper against Sacred Heart. Stony Brook had no errors on the afternoon while the Pioneers committed three.

SEAWOLVES SECOND IN AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL: Stony Brook was selected to finish second along with the University of Maine in the America East Conference, according to a vote of the head coaches. Boston University is the preseason favorite to win its third-straight conference championship, with the Terriers receiving all seven first-place votes and 49 points overall. Maine and Stony Brook were tied for second with 32 points each. The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship, which Stony Brook will host at University Field in Stony Brook, N.Y., May 8-10. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

LOOKING AHEAD: Stony Brook's homestand continues after today wtih back-to-back doubleheaders against Vermont on Saturday and Sunday to open up America East Conference play. The Seawolves then play host to Marist and Fairfield next week on Tuesday and Wednesday.