Hofstra softball continues hot play in first home games of 2010

After playing its first 13 games on the road the Hofstra softball team was excited for some home cooking this weekend, especially freshman pitcher Olivia Galati, who attended many Pride games growing up in West Babylon. Galati did not disappoint her many friends and family who flocked to Hofstra Softball Stadium Saturday and Sunday as the St. John the Baptist product tossed 23 strikeouts in victories over Connecticut and Boston University to help the Pride improve to 13-4.

 “It is seriously like a dream come true" said Galati of her Hofstra Softball Stadium debut as a college player. "I’ve been looking to come here and I’ve been coming to games my whole life here and to actually step on the field and say this is my home field is really, really cool."

Galati’s efforts helped the Pride win three of four games in the Hofstra Invitational and remain hot in non-conference play. She earned Sunday’s 2-1 win over BU thanks to a walk-off home run from junior third baseman Sarah Michalowski in the bottom of the seventh after Michele DePasquale tied it in the sixth with an RBI double. Coming into the Hofstra Invitational the Pride were ranked 23rd in the Ultimate College Softball  top 25 poll after achieving several impressive wins at tournaments in Tampa, Fla, Columbus, Ga. and Louisville, Ky.

Hofstra softball head coach Bill Edwards was ecstatic not just about playing at home for the first time this season but also the large crowds of 355 on Saturday and 440 on Sunday who came out for the four games held in beautiful weather. “We had great crowds, they were into it and we were into,” said Edwards. “We like to play well in front of our fans and taking three out of four is not too bad of a weekend.”

Hofstra is next in action for a short road trip to St. John’s on March 24 at 3 p.m. The Pride return to Hofstra Softball Stadium for a Thursday matinee against Long Island University starting at 4 p.m.