ATLANTA, Ga. -- Hofstra pitcher Olivia Galati allowed only four hits and no runs as the Pride knocked off Georgia State in the series finale, 2-0, to clinch the CAA regular-season title and homefield advantage at the upcoming conference tournament. With a Drexel loss, the Panthers clinched a spot in the tournament field of four.
GSU returns to action next weekend when it hosts Towson in a key three-game series. A doubleheader will begin on Friday (Senior Day) at 12 p.m., while Saturday's single game will begin at noon. GSU seniors Rachel Cunningham, Lauren Fetters, Danielle Roddy, Lily Skelton and Elizabeth Thomas will be honored before Friday's first game.
Galati (21-6) pitched 6.2 innings allowing only four hits and one walk, while striking out seven, to earn her 21st victory of the season. Erin Wade recorded the last out to pick up her second save of the season. GSU pitcher McCall Langford (13-3) suffered the loss despite only allowing six hits and two runs in pitching a complete game.
GSU had a pair of chances late in the game to rally from a 2-0 deficit. However, all three times Galati and then Wade worked their way out of a jam.
The Panthers best opportunity to score came in the fifth inning with two outs. Senior Lily Skelton singled to left field to keep the inning alive. Rachel Cunningham then eaned a walk, advancing pinch runner Lauren Fetters. Rebecca Roles then knocked a single to left field that loaded the bases for Tiffany Bess, who struck out to end the threat.
In the seventh, Mason singled through the left side to bring the tying run to bat. However, Skelton hit a rocket to second base that was caught out of the air and turned for a double play by second baseman Krista Thorn. After Cunningham and Roles got on base with a single and walk respectively, left fielder Tiffany Bess hit a deep shot to right field that was snagged by Hofstra's Tessa Ziemba to end the game.
Ziemba got the Pride on the board first with a solo homer in the second inning over the left field fence.
In the third, Sara Michalowski hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Kris Root, to push the Pride' lead to 2-0.
Leading the way for Hofstra was Ziemba who had the homer and RBI. Leadoff batter Kris Root had a pair of hits and a run scored.
