Seton Hall
Pirates Split Doubleheader to Start UNC Greensboro Tournament
Date: February 23, 2018
(Photo: SHU Athletics)
By: Chris Schweitzer
The Seton Hall softball team started off their UNCG Invitational with an extra innings win against Appalachian State by a score of 3-2. They followed up that game with a 12-5 loss at the hands of UNC Greensboro. After today's games, the Pirates now have a 5-5 record on the season.
In the first game of the day, Seton Hall took on Appalachian State and both teams were able to hold the other hitless in the first two innings of play. In third inning Appalachian State broke the deadlock and were able to put two runs on the board thanks to a Haley Stewart single that drove in two runs. Seton Hall was able to get something going on offense in the fourth inning when they got three hits but were unable to score any runs and remained trailing 2-0.
The Pirates weren't able to generate much more offense for the next couple of innings but were able to keep Appalachian State from extending their lead and kept the score at a very manageable 2-0 deficit. In the seventh inning their work to keep Appalachian State from extending their lead paid off as Seton Hall was able to tie the game after a pinch hit home run from Alannah Basile. When the Pirates got their turn to win the game in the eighth inning they capitalized as Sara Foster hit a single up the middle to score Brianna Wallace from second base.
After the extra innings win against Appalachian State, the Pirates looked to keep the good momentum going against UNCG. The momentum quickly turned around however as Seton Hall were held hitless in the top of the first inning as UNCG scored four runs in the bottom half of the first inning.
The Pirates didn't let the early deficit stop them, as they went on to score one run in the second from a Janae Barracato Home Run. They would tie the game in the third inning when Hailey Arteaga drove in one run with a double, and Janae Barracato tied the game with a single that drove in two runs. Seton Hall would go on to take the lead in the fourth inning after a Sara Foster double drove in a run.
The Pirates seemed to be on the better end of the offensive battle, but the bats went quiet after the fourth inning and they were held hitless for the remainder of the game. While UNCG were doing their job to keep the Pirates from scoring on defense, they were also doing their job on offense. UNCG took the lead back in the fifth inning after scoring three runs on four hits, and extended their lead with another five runs in the bottom of the sixth. They had quickly jumped out to a seven run lead and the Pirates couldn't match their offensive performance as they would go on to lose by a score of 12-5.
Seton Hall next plays on Saturday February 24 when they again play Appalachian State, and UNCG in a doubleheader. Check into wsou.net for a recap of both the games.
Chris Schweitzer can be reached at christopher.schweitzer@student.shu.edu.
