Speedy Claxton gets to 100 wins in 162 games 56-plus years after the Miracle Mets became the first New York baseball team to get to 100 wins in exactly 162 games. There are worse signs than that.
The Flying Dutchmen snapped their rare win-loss-win stretch in historic fashion last Saturday afternoon, when they responded to a back-and-forth first half by pulling away over the final 20 minutes to defeat Northeastern, 82-68 and earn Speedy Claxton his 100th win as head coach.
As will hopefully remain the case for the rest of the season however long it lasts, here’s the Keep It Perky featuring the usual postgame boilerplate material. The individual news and notes from the win over the Huskies and a preview of our pals at Stony Brook will be posted in the AM. Enjoy!
THE MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARIZED IN ONE PARAGRAPH
Cruz Davis scored eight of his game-high 22 points over the final 6:42 of the first half to spark the run that gave the Dutchmen the lead for good in a Barone Bowl XXXVII victory. Preston Edmead had seven points in a game-opening 17-6 surge for the Dutchmen before Northeastern scored on eight of its next 11 possessions while mounting an 18-3 run. Davis and Joshua DeCady (SPOILER ALERT) hit consecutive 3-pointers for the Dutchmen, who scored the final seven points of the half to conclude their 18-6 run and give the visitors a 39-30 lead. Petar Pintar opened the second half with a dunk for Northeastern, but Davis and Edmead combined for the next five points as the Dutchmen went ahead by double digits for good. The Dutchmen led by as many as 22 before Northeastern ended the game on a 21-14 run NICE FOOTBALL SCORE WE SHOULD PLAY EACH OTHER IN THAT SPORT. Davis, Edmead, German Plotnikov and Silas Sunday combined to go 10-of-12 from the line over the final 2:04 for the Dutchmen. Davis added three rebounds and three assists while Edmead (19 points, five rebounds, five assists) had another strong all-around game as he continued his push for CAA Rookie of the Year. Plotnikov finished with 18 points, two shy of his season-high, while DeCady added nine points. Sunday scored three points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
3 STARS OF THE GAME (vs. Northeastern, 2/21)
3: Cruz Davis
2: Preston Edmead
1: German Plotnikov
SEASON STANDINGS
Cruz Davis 66
Preston Edmead 46
Biggie Patterson 20
German Plotnikov 10
Silas Sunday 9
Joshua DeCady 8
Victory Onuetu 6
Joshua Aaron Reaves 3
Jaeden Roberts 3
A.J. Wills 2
Alex Tsynkevich 1
The top three for the season are the three stars in order last week! Quirky!
WAS THIS A UNICORN SCORE?
YES! Two in a row! Thought for sure the Dutchmen had an 82-68 win somewhere in the past, but nope, just three 82-67 victories and an 81-68 win over…Northeastern on Jan. 15, 1999. I’ll never dismiss a unicorn score but it would have been super quirky if the only 81-68 wins in school history were over the same school. This is the first time this season the Dutchmen have recorded unicorn score victories in consecutive games and the first time they’ve done so since opening the 2024-25 season with unicorn score victories over Old Westbury and Iona.
This is the Dutchmen’s sixth unicorn score victory of the season.
12/10/25: 92-23 over Old Westbury
12/21/25: 74-66 over Quinnipiac
1/8/26: 78-67 over Towson
2/7/26: 71-49 over Towson
2/19/26: 79-43 over Hampton
2/21/26: 82-68 over Northeastern
This is also the Dutchmen’s 66th unicorn score victory since the start of the 2018-19 season, when we first started tracking unicorn scores. One more to a six-seventh unicorn score victory this season!
2025-26: Six unicorn scores
2024-25: Seven unicorn scores
2023-24: Seven unicorn scores
2022-23: 12 unicorn scores
2021-22: 11 unicorn scores
2020-21: Zero unicorn scores (really)
2019-20: 13 unicorn scores
2018-19: 10 unicorn scores
The term unicorn score was coined by Mets superfan, historian and blogger Greg Prince to describe a score by which the Mets had never previously won. You may also know it as a “Scorigami,” a term popularized in the NFL.
WHO HAD THE KEITH HERNANDEZ?
Joshua DeCady, who waited longer than anyone in history (or at least since the 2022-23 season) to record his first Keith Hernandez, wasted no time joining the two-timer club last Saturday by hitting the tie-breaking 3-pointer that gave the Dutchmen the lead for good at 27-24 with 6:00 left in the first half. DeCady’s second Keith Hernandez came in his 52nd game, which is somewhat surprisingly only the second-deepest into a career a player has recorded his second Keith Hernandez. Jaquan Carlos, who recored the first known Keith Hernandez in his 20th game with the program on Nov. 7, 2022, didn’t record his second and final Keith Hernandez until his 58th game with the Dutchmen on Nov. 20, 2023. I have the important information, folks. DeCady is also the 14th player to record multiple Keith Hernandezes.
German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Molloy, 11/10/25 (18:47 left 1H)
Preston Edmead go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Bucknell, 11/14/25 (13:30 left 2H)
Biggie Patterson tie-breaking free throw vs. La Salle, 11/28/25 (1:35 left 2H)
Preston Edmead tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Merrimack, 11/29/25 (15:25 left 1H)
Biggie Patterson tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Pennsylvania, 11/30/25 (18:03 left 2H)
Cruz Davis tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Pittsburgh, 12/7/25 (8:38 left 1H)
Cruz Davis tie-breaking free throw vs. Old Westbury, 12/10/25 (19:50 left 1H)
German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Syracuse, 12/13/25 (:31.9 left 2H)
Cruz Davis nostalgic 3-point play vs. Quinnipiac, 12/21/25 (3:54 left 2H)
Preston Edmead go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Campbell, 12/29/25 (12:05 left 1H)
German Plotnikov tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Drexel, 1/3/26 (18:27 left 1H)
German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Towson, 1/8/26 (3:33 left 1H)
A.J. Wills tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Monmouth, 1/10/26 (4:31 left OT)
Cruz Davis tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Monmouth, 1/31/26 (19:50 left 1H)
Cruz Davis tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Northeastern, 2/5/26 (12:38 left 1H)
Cruz Davis tie-breaking jumper vs. Towson, 2/7/26 (16:21 left 1H)
Joshua DeCady go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Hampton, 2/19/26 (15:29 left 1H)
Joshua DeCady tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Northeastern, 2/21/26 (6:00 left 1H)
SEASON STANDINGS
Cruz Davis 6
German Plotnikov 4
Preston Edmead 3
Biggie Patterson 2
Joshua DeCady 2
A.J. Wills 1
ALL-TIME STANDINGS (or at least since the 2022-23 season)
Tyler Thomas 16
Darlinstone Dubar 14
Cruz Davis 9
German Plotnikov 7
Jean Aranguren 5
Aaron Estrada 4
Preston Edmead 3
Michael Graham 3
Warren Williams 3
Biggie Patterson 2
Silas Sunday 2
Jacco Fritz 2
Jaquan Carlos 2
Joshua DeCady 2
A.J. Wills 1
Eric Parnell 1
KiJan Robinson 1
Bryce Washington 1
The Keith Hernandez is bestowed upon the player who scores the points that put the Dutchmen ahead for good in a victory. The stat pays homage to Hernandez, the World Series-winning Cardinals and Mets first baseman who had a record 129 game-winning RBIs when the stat was inexplicably discontinued after the 1988 season.
THE FLYING DUTCHMEN AFTER TWENTY-NINE GAMES
The Dutchmen improved to 19-10 with Saturday afternoon’s win. This ties the 2025-26 team for the 16th-best record in school history through 29 games. This is the first time the Dutchmen have opened 19-10 since 2021-22 and the fourth time overall in program history. All four 19-10 starts have come since 2008-09. Here is how some notable Hofstra teams have fared through 29 games:
NCAA DIVISION I TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1975-76: 18-11 (win in 29th game came in ECC Tournament championship game, marked sixth win of six-game winning streak and sent the Dutchmen to the NCAAs for the first time as a D-I program)
1976-77: 22-7 (win in 29th game came in ECC Tournament championship game, marked ninth win of nine-game winning streak and sent to the Dutchmen to the NCAAs for the second straight season)
1999-2000: 23-6 (win in 29th game came in America East tournament semifinals)
2000-01: 25-4 (win in 29th game came in America East tournament semifinals and marked 17th win in program-record, single-season 18-game winning streak, only 25-4 start in school history)
2019-20 (IT COUNTS TO US): 22-7 (most recent 22-7 start, win in 29th game clinched tie for the CAA regular season title and was eighth win of eight-game winning streak)
NIT TEAMS
1998-99: 21-8 (win in 29th game came in America East quarterfinals, was final win of season)
2004-05: 21-8 (loss in 29th game came in CAA semifinals)
2005-06: 24-5 (win in 29th game came in the CAA semifinals — THE TONY SKINN GAME — and locked up at least an at-large bid for the Dutchmen, or so we thought THANKS TOC, only 24-5 start in school history)
2006-07: 21-8
2015-16: 21-8
2018-19: 23-6 (most recent 23-6 start, loss in 29th game came in home finale to James Madison, final regular season loss)
2022-23: 21-8 (most recent 21-8 start, win in 29th game marked ninth win of 12-game winning streak that continued into the CAA Tournament)
NCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1962-63: 23-6 (loss in first round of NCAAs was final loss of season)
1963-64: 23-6 (season ended with first-round loss in NCAAs)
The 1958-59 team, Hofstra’s first to reach the NCAA Tournament, completed its season in 27 games (20-7), while the 1961-62 team, Hofstra’s second to reach the NCAA Tournament, completed its season in 28 games (24-4).
Some other notable 29-game records:
2024-25: 13-16 (most recent 13-16 start, win in 29th game snapped Speedy Claxton-era record six-game losing streak)
2023-24: 18-11 (most recent 18-11 start)
2013-14: 8-21 (most recent 8-21 start, Joe Mihalich’s first team)
2012-13: 7-22 (only 7-22 start, win in 29th game was final win for Mo Cassara, worst 29-game record in school history)
2011-12: 9-20 (most recent 9-20 start)
2009-10: 16-13 (only 16-13 start, win in 29th game marked fourth win of seven-game winning streak)
2007-08: 12-17 (only 12-17 start, win in 29th game was final win of season)
2003-04: 14-15 (most recent 14-15 start, season ended w/loss to Old Dominion in CAA quarterfinals)
2002-03: 8-21 (season ended w/loss to UNC Wilmington in CAA quarterfinals)
2001-02: 10-19 (only 10-19 start, loss in 29th game ended regular season and marked eighth loss of Tom Pecora-era record-tying eight-game losing streak)
1997-98: 18-11 (won regular season finale)
1993-94: 9-20 (ECC champs! Beat Northeastern Illinois in 2 OTs to win ECC title in VBK’s final game)
1991-92: 20-9 (season ended w/loss to Towson State in ECC championship and ended nine-game winning streak, only 20-9 start)
1988-89: 14-15 (season ended w/loss in ECC semifinals)
1985-86: 17-12 (only 17-12 start, win in ECC semifinals was final win of season)
1984-85: 14-15 (season ended w/loss in ECC semifinals)
1951-52: 26-3 (won known season finale, best 29-game record in school history)
1950-51: 18-11 (lost season finale)
Hofstra has never been 29-0, 28-1, 27-2, 15-14, 11-18, 6-23, 5-24, 4-25, 3-26, 2-27, 1-28 or 0-29 through 29 games.
Fifty-one seasons were completed in fewer than 29 games:
1936-37 (10-7)
1937-38 (10-4)
1938-39 (10-8)
1939-40 (12-9)
1940-41 (13-7)
1941-42 (15-6)
1942-43 (15-6)
1943-44 (7-12)
1944-45 (8-13)
1945-46 (12-7)
1946-47 (18-6)
1947-48 (13-6)
1948-49 (18-8)
1949-50 (17-9)
1952-53 (20-7)
1953-54 (15-9)
1954-55 (19-7)
1955-56 (22-4)
1956-57 (11-15)
1957-58 (15-8)
1958-59 (20-7)
1959-60 (23-1)
1960-61 (21-4)
1961-62 (14-14)
1964-65 (11-14)
1965-66 (16-10)
1966-67 (12-13)
1967-68 (13-12)
1968-69 (12-13)
1969-70 (13-13)
1970-71 (18-8)
1971-72 (11-14)
1972-73 (8-16)
1973-74 (8-16)
1974-75 (11-13)
1977-78 (8-19)
1978-79 (8-19)
1979-80 (14-14)
1980-81 (12-15)
1981-82 (12-16)
1982-83 (18-9)
1983-84 (14-14)
1986-87 (10-18)
1987-88 (6-21)
1989-90 (13-15)
1990-91 (14-14)
1992-93 (9-18)
1994-95 (10-18)
1995-96 (9-18)
1996-97 (12-15)
2020-21 (13-10)
More than half the previous Hofstra seasons were completed by this point.
Full records not available for the following seasons: 1936-37, 1941-42, 1942-43.
This feature is inspired by Greg Prince, who measures how the current Mets compare, record-wise, to previous teams through the same point in the season.
NUMBER TEN THROUGH ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO
With Saturday afternoon’s win, Speedy Claxton improved to 100-62 (.617) as head coach. Shoutout to Speedy for getting to 100 wins at the easiest possible point for me to figure out his winning percentage. That’s the third-best known winning percentage for a Hofstra coach through his first 162 games at the helm.
Butch van Breda Kolff I 122-40 (.753, 162nd game was the 11th game of his seventh season in 1961-62)
Frank Reilly 116-46 (.716, 162nd game was the sixth game of his seventh season in 1953-54)
SPEEDY CLAXTON 100-62 (.617, 162nd game was the 29th game of his fifth season in 2025-26)
Paul Lynner 98-64 (.609, 162nd game was the second game of his seventh season in 1968-69)
Joe Mihalich 87-75 (.537, 162nd game was the 29th game of his fifth season in 2017-18)
Tom Pecora 87-75 (.537, 162nd game was the ninth game of his sixth season in 2006-07)
Dick Berg 84-78 (.519, 162nd game was the 23rd game of his sixth season in 1985-86)
Jay Wright 83-79 (.512, 162nd game was the 17th game of his fifth season in 1998-99)
Roger Gaeckler 78-84 (.481, 162nd game was the third game of his seventh season in 1978-79)
Butch van Breda Kolff II 74-88 (.457, 162nd game was the 21st game of his sixth season in 1993-94)
IT HAS HAPPENED (obvs) as Speedy Claxton becomes the third-fastest Flying Dutchmen head coach to get to 100 wins and the first to do it in exactly 162 games, which is, again, very cool for us baseball fans. Claxton inches two wins ahead of fourth-place Paul Lynner, who, in a quirky bit, is the only Hofstra coach to lose his 162nd game at the helm. Thus, Joe Mihalich and Tom Pecora remain tied for fifth as they each win their 162nd game on the sideline while Dick Berg’ remains one win ahead of Jay Wright. The Dutchmen improve to 2-1 in Roger Gaeckler’s seventh and final season while Butch van Breda Kolff’s final team beats Fordham, thus generating my first-ever #Redundant LOL Fordham moment, And not nearly the last!
The records are incomplete for Jack McDonald’s first stint from 1936 through 1943 as well as the tenure of Jack Smith (1943-46).
Smith finished 27-32 in his three seasons while Mo Cassara finished 38-59 in his three seasons. Three coaches had one-season tenures lasting at Hofstra. McDonald went 18-6 in the lone season of his second stint in 1946-47 while Joe Harrington went 14-14 in 1979-80 and Mike Farrelly went 13-10 in 2020-21.
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