Brookline, MA - John Puttress singled in the go ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning to back Nick Berger's seven innings of four-hit ball as Northeastern posted a 4-1 win over Hofstra Saturday afternoon at Friedman Diamond.
The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Pride, its longest in 53 years and one shy of the school record of 10 set by the 1960 squad. Hofstra fell to 14-17 overall and 4-7 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Northeastern upped its record to 17-13, 6-8 in the CAA with the victory.
Hofstra would go up, 1-0, in the third, taking advantage of a Northeastern error. Kenny Jackson drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt by Berger. Jared Hammer followed with a ground out to first that plated Jackson with the first run of the game.
But that was the only run the Pride would manage against Berger (4-4) and reliever Dylan Maki. The Pride loaded the bases in the sixth and the eighth, but could not score either time. Hofstra also had a runner in scoring position in the seventh after Jackson reached on an error and Hammer was intentionally walked after Jackson stole second. But Kevin Brantley's drive to right was caught to end the threat.
Northeastern scored a run in the fifth with a two-out rally as Pete Castoldi singled and went to second on walk to Aaron Barbosa. Brad Burcroff followed with a single that scored Castoldi in a close play at the plate.
The Huskies would take the lead in the sixth as Rob Fonseca led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a ground out to short, Puttress was sent up as a pinch hitter and delivered what proved to be the game-winning single. The Huskies would tack on two runs in the eighth to provide some insurance.
Joe Burg (3-3) took the tough-luck loss after allowing two runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Bryan Verbitsky pitched 1 1/3 innings and struck out three batters, while Andrew Barbarino allowed the two eighth inning runs. Chris Nardo had two of Hofstra's five hits on the day.
Maki pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, to earn his fifth save of the year. Josh Treff had two RBIs for the Huskies, while Fonseca had two hits and two runs scored.
The two teams will meet in the rubber match of the series Sunday at Noon.
