Seton Hall
Morris Shines But Pirates Falter Late To Drop Game One of Series To Creighton
Date: May 5, 2017 By: John Soper
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - Seton Hall opened up a three-game weekend series against the Big East leader Creighton with a 2-1 loss on a wet, chilly Friday night at Owen T. Carroll Field.
The Bluejays have now won 12 of their last 13 games, while Seton Hall has won 7 of its last 10. Since Creighton joined the conference in 2014, they have dominated the series against Seton Hall, holding a 10-3 record in the series.
Chris Morris got the start for the Pirates over a struggling Shane McCarthy who gave up 5 earned runs in his last start against St. John's last weekend. Rollie Lacy got the start for Creighton.
Both starters were twirling gems in the early going. The Pirate bats were retired in order in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings while Seton Hall used two double-plays in the 4th and 5th innings to help out Morris. Morris allowed only two hits and five strikeouts through six innings of work.
Seton Hall stuck first in the bottom of the 6th when Mike Caputo came home on a wild pitch. That lead would hold until the top of the 8th. Kyle Lopez led off the inning with a single for Creighton, Reznicek pinch ran and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and with one out, Clark Brinkman singled through the left side to tie the game.
Seton Hall had a chance to grab the lead back in the bottom of the 8th. Jackson Martin walked and tried to score from first when Tyler Shedler-McAvoy grounded to third. An errant throw from third baseman Bryce Only trickled in to shallow right and Will Robertson picked the ball up to throw a dart to home plate to easily nab Martin. Shedler-McAvoy was able to reach third but unable to score after Joe Poduslenko struck out on a check swing.
Michael Emodi led off the top of the 9th inning with his third home run of the year to deep left-center field. That would prove to be the winning run as the Pirates strung together a single and double but Mike Caputo struck out to end the game.
The Bluejay reliever, Ethan DeCaster (3-1), picked up the win. Andrew Politi (0-3), got the loss for the Pirates. Chris Morris got the quality start after 6 IP, 2H, 0 runs, 3BB, and 5K on 90 pitches. He was pulled in the top of the 7th after he walked the leadoff man.
The two squads will play a double-header tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. at Owen T. Carroll Field. Jeff Albrecht (5-3, 2.76) is projected to start for Creighton while Cullen Dana (4-3, 3.60) is the projected starter for Seton Hall.
Game 1 will be broadcast live on 89.5 WSOU-FM and the iHeartRadio app, while Game 2 will be available on wsou.net only.
