Seton Hall
Pirates split Friday doubleheader
Date: March 16, 2019By Anthony Talarico
Seton Hall men’s baseball took to Port Charlotte, Fl. this week to compete in the Snowbird Classic. After splitting their first two games of the event, the Pirates kept that trend going in their performance on Friday.
The first contest of a doubleheader was a bad case of déjà vu for the Pirates. After dropping Wednesday’s game by a score 7-4 to Kansas, Seton Hall would do the same to Saint Joseph’s.
Junior Ricky DeVito opened with some strong play in his second start of the season; his first since opening day. In 5.0 innings DeVito tied a career-high by striking out nine batters, while also allowing a lone run to the Hawks.
Despite their second-straight loss in Florida, offense wasn’t lacking in the Pirates’ effort on Friday. Junior Matt Toke and sophomore Jerry Huntzinger contributed three hits each to tally a season-high 14-total for Seton Hall. That double-digit attack would only convert to four runs, thanks to grounders that aided four double-plays for Saint Joseph’s.
The turning point of the game came in the top of the seventh inning, where the Hawks were firing on all cylinders. A three-run effort positioned them with a 5-1 advantage that would carry into the ninth. Despite a three run-effort of their own in the final frame, the Pirates couldn’t quite fight their way back in this one.
Shortly after, Seton Hall took on Harvard for the second-half of the evening’s doubleheader. The Crimson entered the weekend fresh off their first series-win of the year, as they won three of four over Radford. Harvard senior Pat McColl was nominated as the Ivy League Player of the Week for the second-straight week; he struck two home runs and batted .563 against the Highlanders.
This time, however, the Pirates were on the right side of a 7-4 finish as they were able to come out on top over Harvard. Sophomore Casey Dana had himself an afternoon, going 2-3 with a homer to put Seton Hall in the win-column.
Seton Hall improves to 3-11 on the season with their win over the Crimson. Junior Christian Del Castillo had much to contribute with two sac-flies, as well as junior Connor Hood and sophomore Thomas Holdorf sending in a pair of runs combined.
Harvard attempted a late-rally with a solo-homerun in the eighth, but ultimately came up short on the day. Junior Corey Sawyer would come in to close out the remainder of the contest.
Their next game is scheduled for Saturday against Harvard, before The Hall returns to regular play on Tuesday at Wagner.
Anthony Talarico can be reached at anthony.talarico@student.shu.edu.
