Underpreview: Delaware vs. Hofstra
Published: Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Updated: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 00:05
Time: Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Location: Hofstra Softball Stadium
About the teams:
About Delaware: The Delaware softball team comes into the CAA Tournament in the much-vaunted No. 4 seeding. Their record is 15-39-4 (8-12 in CAA competition). Two junior right-handers are Delaware’s top pitchers. First is Chenxi Jiao, who has a 3.31 ERA and an 8-23 record, and second is Hannah Rust, with a 4.41 ERA and a 5-7 record. Top batter is freshman infielder Jessica Gristler, who has a .299 average, one home run and 12 RBIs. Second is infielder Michelle McKinnon, who has a .299 average, one home run and 17 RBIs.
About Hofstra: The Pride comes into the tournament as the No. 1 seed. Their record is 35-13 (19-0 in CAA competition). Top pitcher is junior pitcher Olivia Galati, who has a 0.95 ERA and a 27-5 record. Galati also leads the hitting race, with a .370 average, three home runs and 34 RBIs. Second pitcher is class hand Erin Wade, with a 2.80 ERA and an 8-8 record. Second batter is class hand Rachel Senatore, who has a .367 average and 19 RBIs.
Why the Hens can win:
Jiao’s ERA has improved, as has Rust’s. Even with that, Delaware will need to play a perfect game in order to win.
Why the Hens could lose:
Hofstra has an undefeated record in the conference and they are playing on their home field. Galati can pitch and hit, so she is a dangerous weapon.
The numbers:
16-51: Delaware’s all-time series record against Hofstra.
12: The number of NCAA Tournament appearances Hofstra has.
0-9: The score of the last regular season game played by Delaware against Hofstra.
The prediction:
Delaware will lose in this lopsided matchup.
Hofstra 18
Delaware 5
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