Hofstra University Athletics

HOFSTRA TRAVELS TO RED AND BLACK INVITATIONAL THIS WEEKEND

3/10/2010 2:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Softball team will put its 9-1 record to some tough tests this weekend when it faces two games apiece against No. 5 Michigan and No. 18 Louisville at the Red & Black Invitational.

The Pride will open play on Saturday at 12 p.m. against Louisville, before facing Michigan at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Hofstra faces Michigan at 12 noon and Louisville at 2 p.m.

Hofstra is off to a 9-1 start, tying its best record through 10 games in school history with the 1994 team. Hofstra already has five wins over schools from BCS conferences (N.C. State, Michigan State, South Florida, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State). The Pride began the year by winning the University of South Florida/LaQuinta Inn Invitational from Feb. 19-21 with a perfect 5-0 record, then went 4-1 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic from Feb. 26-28.

The Pride has been idle for two weeks, though, and must face one of the most potent hitting teams in the country in No. 5 Michigan, in addition to host Louisville, which is currently ranked 18th. Hofstra has tested Michigan a couple of times in recent years, including a 5-3 loss in 2006 and a 1-0 loss in 2007, both of which came at the Leadoff Classic. The Pride will be facing Louisville for the first time in school history.

Hofstra managed to go 4-1 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic despite struggling with the bats, hitting just .119 over the five games. Junior third baseman Sara Michalowski (Philadelphia, PA) provided the biggest highlight when she broke up a scoreless tie (and a no-hit bid) in the seventh inning of a 1-0 win over Kent State. Sophomore pitcher Erin Wade (Taunton, MA) picked up the shutout in that game, and held Virginia Tech to only two hits in a 3-2 win.

Wade earned the CAA Pitcher of the Week Award after going 3-0 at the Leadoff Classic, giving Hofstra the first two CAA Pitcher of the Week honors of the season. Freshman Olivia Galati (West Babylon, NY) picked up the first one after tallying a 3-0 record at the LaQuinta Inn Invitational, including wins over North Carolina State, Michigan State and South Florida. Galati leads the Pride in hitting (.364, five RBI), in addition to her 4-1 record, 1.93 ERA, 35 strikeouts and eight walks in the circle.

WRHU will be broadcasting the games live from Louisville, at GoHofstra.com, which you can listen to by signing up for the PrideZone. Other Red & Black Invitational information can also be found at Louisville's website (www.uoflsports.com).

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