April 24, 2013
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SCOUTING HOFSTRA: Entering today's game with a 31-11 record overall, Hofstra could prove to be this Rams team's toughest test since playing other national powerhouses like Texas and Pittsburgh at the beginning of the season. The Pride comes to the Bronx with a team average of .319, led by Caryn Bailey hitting at a .397 clip. One through nine, eight members of the Pride's regular starting lineup bat above the .300 mark.
While the Pride's efficiency at the dish has certainly contributed to their success so far, it's their dominance in the circle that has really propelled them this campaign. Olivia Galati, Hofstra's number one starter, has emerged as one of the premiere pitchers not only in the region, but in the nation. The West Babylon, N.Y., native has compiled as 27-10 record in 37 starts this season, registering a 1.57 ERA in the process. Galati has tossed 34 complete games and allowed only 53 earned runs in 237 innings pitched. A relentless power pitcher, Galati has struck out 290 opposing batters while allowing only 27 walks in 39 appearances.
LAST TIME OUT: Gabby Luety drove in four runs and Chelsea Palumbo knocked in three, helping lift the Rams to an 8-2 victory over Iona on Tuesday afternoon.
The win moves Fordham to 28-16 on the year and completes a season sweep of the Gaels, whom Fordham bested 3-2 back on March 27th.
Patti Maloney picked up her second win of the year in the circle for the Rams. The freshman surrendered only two hits in four innings of work, striking out two and walking none. Taylor Pirone picked up her second save of the year in relief, pitching the final three innings of the contest.
Fordham got on the board early in the bottom of the first after Maloney retired the side in the top of the frame. Jamie LaBovick started off the action with a walk and Elise Fortier reached on an error by the second baseman, giving the Rams two on with no outs for Luety. Luety then sent a pitch halfway to Webster Avenue, launching one over the left field fence and putting the Rams up 3-0.
The Rams struck again in the third and fourth frames, as Palumbo hit an RBI single in the third and Luety picked up her fourth RBI of the day with a sac fly to right center in the fourth. Fordham led 5-0 after four innings.
Iona finally pushed a run across in the top of the sixth, as Jodi Petersen scored on a single by Sarah Schutz, trimming the Gaels' deficit to four, 5-1.
The Rams, however, wouldn't let the Gaels remain that close for very long. LaBovick, who just ended an A-10 record 28 game hit streak on Sunday against Dayton, started off the sixth with a single up the middle. Fortier then reached on a fielder's choice, followed by a walk from Luety. With runners on first and second, Brianna Turgeon hit a shot down the third base line that skied off the bag, giving her an RBI double and allowing Luety to advance to third.
After a Kayla Lombardo walk loaded the bases, Palumbo smacked a two-run single up the middle, extending the lead to seven, 8-1.
Iona got out of the inning and picked up a run in the top of the seventh, making the final margin 8-2 in favor of the Rams.
WHO'S NEXT? The Rams return to Atlantic 10 action on Friday, as they start a two game series with St. Bonaventure in Olean, N.Y.
