HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Hofstra used a three-run sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and give the Pride a series sweep of Georgia State, 4-1, on Senior Day at the Hofstra Softball Stadium.
Hofstra (38-11, 19-1 CAA) swept the Panthers (32-22, 15-5 CAA) for the first time in GSU's six years in the CAA. The Pride finished the regular season at 18-0 at home and currently has a 28-game winning streak in Hempstead.
Errors hurt the Panthers for the second day in a row as GSU had three on the day, giving them eight in the series.
The Panthers led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth, before Trisha Dreslinski's single score Hofstra's first run of the day and gave Dreslinki her fourth RBI of the series.
The sixth proved to be a monster inning for Hofstra as two GSU errors led to three runs and a 4-1 lead. The inning began with a throwing error by third baseman Chelsea Sparks that allowed Jess Hirschbuhl to advance safely to first. Sara Michalowski stepped up and lined out to Paige Nowacki at shortstop. Nowacki attempted the double play, but the ball hit Hirschbuhl's helmet and allowed her to make it back to first safely.
Tess Ziemba followed with a double to centerfield, scoring Hirschbuhl to give the Pride their first lead of the game at 2-1. Starting pitcher and designated player Olivia Galati stepped up and knocked a single to left field that would have put runners at the corners, but leftfielder Emily Whitaker bobbled the ball as she fielded it, allowing Ziemba to slip home. Krista Thorn singled down the left field line to score the game's final run as pinch runner Tori Rocha scampered to home plate from second base.
GSU reliever Kaitlyn Medlam (9-2) suffered the loss after giving up three runs (zero earned) on four hits in two innings of work. GSU starter Alana Thomas earned the no-decision despite pitching well through four innings. She gave up four hits and a run, while walking none.
GSU picked up its first run of the series in the second inning. After Sparks hit a single up the middle that sailed inches from Galati's face, Whitney Phillips smacked her first triple of the season, bringing Sparks all the way around from first to give the Panthers the early 1-0 lead.
The Panthers had few other chances in the game, as every other hit was followed by an out and eventually led to the end to the inning.
Galati pitched four innings (57 pitches) allowing three hits and a run. She had only three strikeouts and a walk after producing 23 K's and a walk in Friday's doubleheader.
Erin Wade (11-4) earned the win for the Pride going three innings, allowing only two hits.
Five different Panthers had one hit each for GSU. Whitaker had a double and a walk.
The Panthers will now turn their attention to the CAA Championship that kickoffs on Wednesday in Hempstead. GSU will open the tourney with a familiar opponent in the Towson Tigers. The two teams have played in the CAA Tournament in three straight seasons entering the 2011 edition. State will play the Tigers at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, with the winner advancing in the winner's bracket to a noon game on Thursday. Fans can follow the game by live stats or GSU's live blog.
