WILMINGTON, N.C – The Stony Brook University softball team defeated No. 6 Hofstra, 3-0, to advance on the first day of the 2024 CAA Championships. Mia Haynes and Ashton Melaas combined to shutout Hofstra, while Corinne Badger, Kyra McFarland and Julianna Sanzone each drove in a run to power Stony Brook's offense.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Seawolves got on the board in the fourth inning, when Sanzone singled through the left side of the infield to score McFarland with two outs.
- The half inning before Stony Brook scored, Haynes escaped a bases-loaded jam to keep Hofstra off the scoreboard.
- The Seawolves tacked on runs in the fifth and sixth innings, courtesy of McFarland and Badger.
- Madelyn Stepski pinch hit to lead off the fifth inning and reached base after being hit by a pitch. Brooke Dye laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Stepski up and reaching safely after a throwing error by Hofstra's first baseman. After two consecutive punchouts, McFarland singled Stepski home to pad the lead.
- Melaas entered in relief in the sixth, retiring the Pride in order.
- Badger led the sixth inning off with a solo homer to left, putting the Seawolves ahead 3-0.
- Hofstra brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Melaas got a ground ball that ended the game, preserved the shutout and advanced Stony Brook to the next round.
STATS AND NOTES
- Stony Brook won for the fourth time in as many games against Hofstra this season. The victory was Stony Brook's first over Hofstra in postseason play.
- Stony Brook earned its 35th win of the season, tied for the second most in a season in program history (2013). The Seawolves are one win shy of matching a program record for wins in a single season.
- Haynes tossed five scoreless innings to pick up her 14th win of the season. She allowed two hits and walked three, striking out three.
- Melaas allowed one hit over two shutout frames, striking out a pair to earn her fourth save of the season.
- The shutout was Stony Brook's 10th of the season.
- McFarland tallied a pair of hits, driving in a run and scoring once. She notched her team-leading 21st multi-hit game of the season.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"Good and gritty win for us to open up the tournament," head coach Megan T. Bryant said. "We had excellent poise and focus and executed offensively in key spots. Mia and Ashton combined to give us a great effort in the circle and the shutout."
NEXT UP
Stony Brook will face No. 2 Delaware on Thursday, May 9 at 2:30 p.m. at Boseman Field. The contest will stream live on FloSoftball.
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