Hofstra completes sweep over Albany

last weekend.

“I felt like we played a lot better today,” said Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto.

“I was really happy with our performance; always nice to bounce back with a sweep.”

Hamilton and Martinez picked him up and kept us in the game.”

The Hofstra University baseball team certainly proved what a difference a week can make on Sunday, Feb. 26, as they completed a three-game sweep over the University at Albany Great Danes with a 14-8 victory at University Field in Hempstead, New York.

The Pride improved their record to 3-4 on the young season after suffering a fourgame sweep at the hands of Florida Gulf Coast University

Things looked bleak for the Pride early on, as the usually reliable Brad Camarda surrendered six earned runs on five hits and five walks in just 2.1 innings of work. However, the freshman reliever duo of Carlos Martinez and Sean Hamilton was able to right the ship on the mound for the Pride, as they combined to pitch 5.2 innings and surrendered just two runs on four hits the rest of the day. The effort earned Martinez his first collegiate win, while Albany’s Joseph Tolbia was charged with the loss.

“Even though Brad [Camarda] didn’t have it, sometimes he’s not gonna have it,” Catalanotto said. “The young guys like

The Hofstra offense was also able to pick up their starting pitcher, tallying 14 runs on 16 hits for their second consecutive offensive explosion. Senior outfielder Will Kennedy led the way for the Pride on offense, going 5-6 with a double and four singles in the win. Second baseman Santino Rosso drove in three runs for the Pride, while Kennedy, Brian Morrell, Kevin Bruggeman and Steve Harrington all posted multi-RBI games as well.

“We know offense is this team’s strength,” Catalanotto said. “We know we were gonna score runs eventually, so to see the guys go out and do that the last few games is encouraging.”

Freshman utility man Dylan Palmer was one of the stories of the day, making his first collegiate start for the Pride and reaching base three times. Palmer made the start at shortstop on Sunday but is a versatile piece that can make an impact at a number of positions.

“Having Dylan [Palmer] in the game was exciting for me because he causes so much havoc with his speed,” Catalanotto said. “He does a great job in the infield, great job in the outfield, you can put him at any position.”

After winning their first three games at home, Hofstra will hit the road for an eight-game road trip over the course of three weeks.

The Pride’s next stop will be in Reno, Nevada, where they’ll meet the University of Nevada Wolfpack from the Mountain West Conference for a fourgame series that begins on Friday, March 3, and concludes on Sunday, March 5.