Blue Hens Power to Doubleheader Split at Hofstra

Friday, April 28

Hempstead, N.Y.

12:00 PM

University of Delaware

27-18, 14-5

Hofstra

21-23, 13-6

Delaware

Hofstra

Photo by: Gavin Bethell

4/28/2023 6:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The University of Delaware softball team had seven extra-base hits on Friday, splitting a CAA doubleheader at Hofstra. The Blue Hens dropped a tough 7-5 decision in game one before bouncing back for a 9-1 victory in the second game. With the split, UD moves to 26-18 overall and 15-5 in CAA play.

Game One: Hofstra 7, Delaware 5
Hofstra used a big sixth inning to come from behind and defeat the Blue Hens.

Offensively, Julz Garber and Kiara Mills led the way with two hits and an RBI each. Sydney Shaffer also had two RBI.

Shaffer opened the scoring in the top of the second with a solo home run, her second of the season, over the fence in left-center field. The Blue Hens scored three more times in the top of the third to extend their lead to 4-0. Mills delivered an RBI single before Brittney Mendoza and Shaffer each drove in runs with sacrifice flies.

Hofstra cut the lead in half with two runs in the bottom of the fourth but Delaware got a run back in the top of the sixth. Kristen Luzon reached on a one-out, pinch-hit single and was replaced on the bases by Jayla Brooks. After a Hanna Garber single moved her up to second, Brooks scored on an RBI single by Julz Garber to make it 5-2.

The Pride scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-5 lead and held on in the top of the seventh to take game one.

Game Two: Delaware 9, Hofstra 1
The Blue Hens bounced back as the offense broke out for 13 hits, including six extra-base hits, and nine runs.

Hanna Garber and Katie Scheivert each led the offense with three hits apiece, while Garber also scored two runs. Mills had two extra-base hits and drove in three runs while Chloe Blantz also added three RBI.

Taylor Wroten fired a complete game in the circle, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out two.

The Blue Hens broke things open in the top of the third with three runs. Grace Rudolph led off with a single before consecutive doubles and Hanna Garber and Julz Garber scored a run. Mills drove in another with an RBI ground out before Julz Garber scored on an error after a Mendoza single. A double into the left-center field gap by Shaffer completed the scoring as Mendoza crossed the plate to make it 4-0.

In the fourth inning, Hanna Garber singled and stole second before Mills launched her third home run of the season well over the left field fence to extend UD's lead to 6-0.

Hofstra plated a run in the fifth, but the Blue Hens answered in the seventh. A double by Mills, an error and a walk loaded the bases before Blantz lined a triple over the center fielder's head that cleared the bases and provided the final 9-1 score.

Notes – Hanna Garber's run in the top of the third inning of game two was the 158th of her career, breaking the Delaware career runs scored record. The previous record of 157 was set by Leanna Gearhart in 2018.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.

For the latest on the Delaware softball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_SB and Instagram @delaware_sb and like "Delaware Softball" on Facebook.