HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The William and Mary baseball team slugged its way to its first Colonial Athletic Association victory of the season and a doubleheader split, dropping Hofstra 11-1 in game two of a doubleheader on Friday at Mitchel Field. With the win, the Tribe improves to 9-5, 1-1 in CAA play, while the Pride fall to 3-7, 1-1 in league action.
Freshman Cullen Large and junior Josh Smith led the Tribe charge in the victory. Large, who extended his hitting streak to 11-games, went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Smith went 2-for-4, but also drove in three runs and scored three more times. Sophomore Tim Hoehn collected a multi-hit game, going 2-for-5.
W&M wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in game two, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Large sparked the rally with an infield single. The next batter, Smith doubled down the left field line, scoring Large. Smith moved to third on a groundout, before coming around to score on a junior Charley Gould single. The two runs gave the Tribe an early 2-0 lead.
The Tribe added three more runs with a big top of the third inning. Freshman Zach Newell led off the inning with a walk, moving to third on a Large single and a Hofstra error. Smith brought home the third run of the day when he reached on an error, earning an RBI. The Tribe added another run on a double play, before senior Willie Shaw doubled to right field, for the final run of the inning.
W&M's biggest inning of the afternoon came in the top of the fourth when they plated four runs. With one out, sophomore Matthew Tilley was hit by a pitch, coming around to score on a Newell double down the right field line. Large followed with a triple to left field, which scored Newell, before Smith brought Large around with a single. The final run of the frame scored on a double from junior Ryan Hissey.
Hofstra scratched across its lone run in the home half of the fourth inning. With two outs, Ryan Donovan beat out an infield single, coming around to score on a double to left from Brad Witkowsi.
The Tribe rallied right back and got the run right back in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs and runners on the corners, Large continued his strong day with a single through the right side, brining home the 10th run of the game.
W&M added another run in the top of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Large beat out a could-be ending inning double play to drive in his third run of the day. The run extended the Tribe lead to 11-1.
Sophomore Nick Brown continued his excellent start to his campaign with another strong six innings. He allowed one run on just two hits, while he struck out four. It was the third victory of the season for Brown. Freshman Michael Toner picked up his first career save tossing the final three innings. He allowed just two hits, while striking out one.
The College and Pride will play a rubber game on Saturday, March 14 at Mitchel Field in New York. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the teams will play the game on Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m.
