Third-seeded UNCW outlasted second-seeded Hofstra 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel during the second game of the CAA Softball Championship presented by Primis.

UNCW improves to 30-13 with the victory and advances to face the winner of No. 1 Delaware and No. 4 Elon at noon tomorrow. Hofstra falls to 21-26 after the setback and will face fifth-seeded Charleston in an elimination game at 6:30 p.m. this evening. 

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Runs were make-shift and hard to come by as the teams combined for just five hits in the contest. UNCW’s Emily Winstead (12-8) pitched 4.0 innings of no-hit ball before allowing her first hit, while the Hofstra duo of Haley Venturini (8-9) and Annabella Pisapia did not allow a hit after the first inning.

Winstead totaled 4.2 innings pitched, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out eight. Kara Hammock tossed the final 2.1, scattering just one hit, and earned the save.

Pisapia entered in the fourth, throwing 3.2 innings of no-hit ball with a pair of strikeouts. Venturini’s final line was 3.1 innings pitched, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out six. 

It was a much-needed fast start for the Seahawks as their first four batters reached in the top of the first. Tayler Vitola started things off with a leadoff walk and stole second but was thrown out at the plate on Janel Gamache’s single to right. Mackenzie Amodeo doubled to left center, setting up second and third with one out before Morgan Britt drove in Gamache with an RBI single. The three hits in the top of the first were the only three hits of the game for UNCW.

UNCW scratched across another run in the top of the fourth as Anna Knox drew a one-out walk before stealing second and third. During the ensuing at-bat, Mary Sobataka dropped down a bunt to score Knox, beating the throw at the plate and reaching on a fielder’s choice.

Hofstra answered in the bottom half of the inning as Meghan Giordano broke up UNCW’s no-hit bid with a leadoff solo home, pulling the Pride within one. 

The Pride made some noise in their half of the fifth as Devyn Losco drew a walk, and Chelsea Manto reached on an infield single to give Hofstra two on with two outs but were unable to capitalize. UNCW went to the bullpen for the final out in the inning as Hammock entered and needed just one pitch to escape the threat.