Hempstead, N.Y.  Despite an outstanding day by freshman Jo Sherlock (San Diego, Calif.), the St. Johns University softball team dropped a non-conference doubleheader to Hofstra University this afternoon. Sherlock had five RBI in game, including a three-run homerun in game one, but the Red Storm fell to the Pride, 9-6. In game two, Sherlock added two solo homers, but Hofstra took the game 6-2. The Red Storm stand at 24-24 on the season while Hofstra improves to 26-14.

In game one, the Red Storm offense got started in their first at-bat with three runs on four hits. Senior Jessica Shepherd (Akron, Ohio) dropped a hit on the edge of the left field grass and senior Alesha Argeras (Warren, Ohio) sent a shot up the middle to put runners on the corners with one out. A hard shot by sophomore Allina Sainz (San Diego, Calif.) was trapped by the Hofstra shortstop, catching Argeras out at second, but allowing Shepherd to score the Red Storms first run of the game. After a single to short right field by sophomore Jillian Sandoval (Orange, Calif.), a passed ball advanced Sandoval and Sainz to second and third, respectively. Sherlock continued her clutch hitting witha double to the warning track allowing Sainz and Sandoval to score for the 3-0 advantage.

Hofstra closed the gap in the second inning with two runs on two doubles. Tara Ulrich doubled for the Prides first hit of the game and after tagging up on a fly ball out, came around to score on a throwing error. Jessica Luna hit a two-out double bringing Lisa Wambold around from first with Hofstras second run of the inning.

Sherlock opened up the game for St. Johns with her second career homerun, a three run shot to rightfield in the top of the third inning. Argeras was hit by a pitch and Sandoval hit a shot to the shortstop to put runners on first and second for Sherlock with two out. Sherlcoks first collegiate multi-run homerun put the Red Storm ahead 6-2.

Hofstra responded to Sherlocks homerun with one of its own. Heather Brousseau singled through the left side and Megan Almon followed with a homerun over the leftfield fence, pulling the Pride to within two. The Pride would add one more run when Ulrich, who reached on her second double of the game, scored on a single by Danielle Stewart. At the end of three innings, the Red Storm led 6-5.

The Pride took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth with four runs on four singles, an error and a wild pitch. Heading into the fifth inning, Hofstra held a 9-6 lead.

Freshman Melanie Lehman (Placerville, Calif.) got the start for the Red Storm in game one, going 3.1 innings, giving up six runs, four earned, on seven hits. Lehman (1-6) struck out two and walked one. Sophomore Meghan Allman (San Diego, Calif.) came on in relief for the final 2.2 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits. Allman (5-3) recorded two strikeouts and three walks.

Sherlock extended her power hitting to game two, tying the game at 1-1 with a homerun over the centerfield wall in the top of the second inning. The homer was Sherlocks second of the day, and third of her career.

Hofstra took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on two hits and two wild pitches. In the third inning, Wambold hit a grand slam over the centerfield wall to give the Pride a 6-1 advantage.

In the top of the seventh inning, Sherlock clocked her third homerun of the day over the centerfield wall. Sherlock was 4-for-6 with seven RBI, including three homeruns, on the day. Sherlock is the second member of the Red Storm to hit three homeruns in one day this season. Argeras accomplished the feat for the first time ever in program history on March 22.

Allman (5-4) started game to for the Red Storm, giving up six runs on five hits in three innings of work, walking four and striking out three. Lehman came on in relief in the fourth inning, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out one.

The Red Storm return to conference action on Saturday, April 26 when they host Providence College. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for noon.