HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The William and Mary baseball team dropped its Colonial Athletic Association opener in game one of a doubleheader 6-4 to Hofstra at Mitchel Field on Friday afternoon. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 8-5, 0-1 in CAA play, while the Pride improved to 3-6, 1-0 in league action.
Junior Josh Smith went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, leading the Tribe in game one. Freshman Cullen Large moved his hitting streak to 10 games with an RBI single in the top of the second inning.
W&M opened the day's scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman Ryan Hall led off the inning with a walk, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Tim Hoehn. Senior Devin White and sophomore Matthew Tilley each followed with walks, loading the bases. Smith, followed, with a foul fly ball to left field that was deep enough to score Hall. The Tribe tacked on one more to take a 2-0 lead on a single by Large.
Hofstra took advantage of three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning, to take the lead for good. With two outs, Brad Witkowski reached on an error, moving to second on an infield single by Brian MacDonald. The next two batters, Chris Weiss and Eric Ferguson each singled up the middle brining home runs for the Pride. A pair of walks to Dalton Rouleau and Steven Foster put the Pride on top 3-2.
The Pride added its fourth run of the game with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ferguson sparked the rally with a triple, coming around to score on a wild pitch. The run gave Hofstra a 4-2 lead.
W&M responded with a run in the top half of the fifth inning. Smith led off the frame with a double to left field, moving to second on a fly out. The next batter, senior Willie Shaw grounded out, but it was enough to score Smith. The tally cut the Pride lead to 4-3.
Hofstra stormed right back with a run in the home half of the fifth. Brett Johnson led off the inning with a long ball, regaining a 5-3 lead for Hofstra.
The Pride added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ferguson hit an infield single, starting the rally, moving to second on a stolen base. The next batter, Rouleau singled through the left side, scoring Ferguson.
W&M threatened in the top of the seventh inning, but only managed one run. Tilley led off the inning with a single, advancing to second an error. The next batter, Smith drove him around on an RBI double down the left field line. The Tribe had runners on first and second with nobody out, but Hofstra's Bowie Matteson got the Pride out of the jam.
Junior Jason Inghram was saddled with his second loss of the season as he tossed six innings allowing eight hits, six runs (only three earned) and recorded six strikeouts. Freshman Christopher Lohr tossed the final two innings allowing just one hit.
Ferguson led the Pride going 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored. On the mound, Nick Kozolowski earned his first win, going six innings, allowing three runs on three hits, and striking out five. Matteson earned the save tossing the final three innings, allowing a run and fanning five for the Pride.
The College and Pride play game two of their conference opening series in approximately 30 minutes.
