SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Interstat) — CJ Griggs powered Hofstra to a 12-1 victory over Towson on Friday afternoon at University Field, collecting a double, triple and home run with five RBIs. Gabriel Melara added a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly, while Nick Gallello homered and doubled for the Pride, who improved to 16-22 overall and 16-26 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Hofstra erupted for four runs in the first inning, capped by Nick Biddle’s RBI single. Griggs doubled in an unearned run in the second, and Gallello led off the third with a solo homer. Towson scored its only run in the sixth on a single by Heckelman, but Hofstra answered with four more runs, including Melara’s three-run blast. Griggs closed the scoring with a two-run homer in the seventh.

Carlos Martinez earned the win in relief, while Dutch DeProspero took the loss for the Tigers, who fell to 16-26. Hofstra outhit Towson 16-5. The teams meet again Saturday in the second game of the series.