WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — AJ Aschettino hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning and finished with three RBIs to lead Northeastern to a 5-4 victory over Hofstra on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field.

Aschettino’s blast to right field, his fifth homer of the season, scored Matt Brinker and extended the Huskies’ lead to 5-0. The Pride answered with three runs in the top of the sixth, then pulled within one in the ninth, but Andrew Wertz recorded the final out to seal the win for Northeastern.

Northeastern improved to 36-20, while Hofstra dropped to 22-28.

The Huskies struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Justin Feinberg was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a single by Danny Gerety and scored on Brinker’s single to left field. Northeastern added two more in the third. Feinberg walked, Gerety singled again and Brinker walked to load the bases. Aschettino drew a walk to force in Feinberg, and Grady Musacchia followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Gerety.

Hofstra starter Tanner Sanderoff worked two innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Brayden Gregg relieved and threw two scoreless innings, striking out one. Grady Lacourciere then took over in the fifth.

With Brinker on base after a walk, Aschettino deposited a 2-0 pitch over the fence in right, giving the Huskies a five-run cushion.

Hofstra’s offense came to life in the sixth. After a walk and a hit batter, Northeastern starter Ryan Griffin exited with one out. Andrew Rogovic entered but issued a bases-loaded walk to Michael Cox, forcing in Hofstra’s first run. Rogovic then uncorked three wild pitches, allowing Brown to score from third and Griggs from second, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Rogovic struck out the next batter but walked Castrataro before being relieved by Tom Mahoney, who induced a flyout to end the inning.

Northeastern threatened in the seventh. Gerety singled and advanced to third on Aschettino’s double down the left-field line, but Gerety was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice. Sean Hamilton came on for Hofstra and escaped the jam by striking out Tarantino.

In the ninth, Hofstra mounted one last rally. Biddle singled and advanced to second on defensive indifference. Gallello walked, and pinch-hitter Michael Lynn singled up the middle, scoring Biddle and moving the tying run to second. Wertz replaced Mahoney and got a groundout from Brown to end the game.

Aschettino went 2 for 3 with the home run, a double and three RBIs. Brinker finished 1 for 2 with a walk and an RBI. Griffin allowed one hit and three earned runs in 5⅓ innings, striking out four. Mahoney gave up one earned run in 2⅔ innings, yielding three hits. Wertz and Rogovic each tossed scoreless relief, with Rogovic striking out one.

For Hofstra, Hamilton threw 1⅔ scoreless innings with one strikeout. Gregg pitched two scoreless innings, also striking out one. Lacourciere surrendered two earned runs on one hit in 2⅓ innings while striking out two. Sanderoff took the loss.

The game featured tight defense, including a double play turned by the Hofstra shortstop in the first inning that erased a runner at second. Northeastern also turned a double play in the eighth.

Hofstra had won the previous meeting between the teams on Thursday, a 6-0 shutout at home, but Northeastern bounced back to take this neutral-site contest. The Pride were coming off a 13-0 win over College of Charleston, while the Huskies had defeated UNC Wilmington 7-3 on Friday.

Interstat’s ELO system projected Northeastern with a 77.60 percent probability to win the game.