Pictured Above: Senior Karen Prihoda (Photo by Nick Monaghan)

Queens, NY – The Wagner College softball team recorded its first multi-home run game of the season, led 5-3 after 3.5 innings and tied the game at 7-7, before falling 13-9 on Friday afternoon to kick off the St. John's Invite.
 
After the Red Storm jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning, the Seahawks used a big third inning to take the lead.
 
An RBI triple by senior Karen Prihoda put the first run on the board for the Seahawks, who doubled their run total on an error by the St. John's shortstop, allowing junior Hannah Lewis to reach base safely and sending Prihoda to score.
 
After a walk to junior Amelia Van Orman, standout freshman  and reigning Northeast Conference (NEC) Co-Rookie of the Week Natalie Del Ponte, crossed another milestone off her list by launching the first home run of her college career, a three-run shot to left center which gave Wagner a 5-3 lead.
 
The Red Storm answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, but the Seahawk offense responded quickly. Following a single by senior Lauren Serrato, Prihoda hit the second Seahawk home run in as many innings, her first of the season, to tie the game at seven apiece.
 
St. John's answered once again with three runs in each of the fourth and sixth innings to take a 13-7 lead.
 
Down to their last three outs, the Seahawks rallied once more, cutting into the deficit on a two-run single by Van Orman, but the Red Storm hung on for the 13-9 victory to move to 9-13 on the season.
 
St. John's had a 15-12 advantage in hits and earned the win despite committing four errors compared to Wagner's one.
 
For the Seahawks, it was the first game with multiple home runs on the season, as Prihoda and Del Ponte also led the team with three RBIs apiece, while Prihoda Van Orman, Serrato, and sophomore Alexis Silinonte all recorded multi-hit games.
 
In the circle, Van Orman was charged with the loss after throwing two innings in relief of freshman Kayla Hooks and senior Ciera Luna.
 
The Seahawks are back in action tomorrow and will take on Holy Cross at 10 am and Hofstra at 2 pm.