WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Towson fell behind by four runs before mounting a comeback.  Unfortunately for the Tigers the rally came up just short as Towson fell, 5-4, at Hofstra Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pride (11-18, 3-8 CAA) jumped out to the 4-0 lead with a four-run third inning that was capped by a Mat Annunziata two-run single up the middle.
 
Towson (8-23-1, 3-8 CAA) got on the board in the fourth as A.J. Gallo singled and came around to score on Chris Henze's single through the left side.
 
Brendan Butler got the offense going in the fifth with a leadoff double.  Mark Grunberg drove him in with a double down the right-field line, before scoring on a Colin Dyer single up the middle.
 
Hofstra pushed the advantage to two runs in the seventh as what turned out to be the game-winning run scored on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded.
 
The Tigers started the ninth inning with a Henze double to left field.   With two outs, Butler plated Henze with a base hit up the middle.  The Tigers were not able to bring the tieing run around the bases as a strikeout ended the game.
 
Kevin Ross (1-4) had a strong outing on the mound as he gave up five runs over 6.1 innings.  Alec Eisenberg (3-2) allowed three runs over six innings to pick up the victory.  Bowie Matteson (3) gave up one run over the final three innings to earn the save.
 
Grunberg, Dyer, Henze and Butler each collected two hits in the loss.
 
The two teams will play the rubber game of the three-game series Sunday afternoon.  First pitch is set for 1 p.m.