Seton Hall
Pirates Win Pitchers Duel against Pittsburgh
Date: February 24, 2018
(Photo: SHU Athletics)
By: Chris Russo
On Saturday night, the Pirates were able to knock off their old Big East foe Pittsburgh by a score of 1-0 in a classic pitchers' duel.
The lone run was unearned and came across the plate in the seventh inning. Casey Dana led off the inning with a walk, and moved to second on a bunt by Ryan Ramiz that prompted a throwing error by Pittsburgh relief pitcher Chase Smith. Dana then came around to score from second base on a throwing error by catcher Cole Maclaren when he attempted to pick off Dana.
Both starting pitchers were phenomenal, but each received a no-decision. In six spectacular shutout innings of work, Seton Hall's Ricky DeVito only let up three hits and two walks, while striking out seven. On the other side, Pittsburgh's Blair Calvo matched DeVito with six shutout innings, while only allowing four hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts.
The relievers were also solid on both sides. Chase Smith took the loss, but only allowed an unearned run on one hit and two walks over two innings. The Pirates' bullpen showed off as Kearny southpaw Corey Sawyer threw two perfect innings to record the victory. Matt Leon surrendered a pair of two-out singles in the ninth, but also struck out two batters and ultimately recorded his second save of the season.
Although pitchers shone the brightest in the ballgame, Seton Hall's lineup included one very bright star in Spartanburg on Saturday night. Mike Alescio never reached the plate in the Pirates' run scoring seventh inning, but he went three for four at the plate. However, he may have costed the Pirates a run in the sixth inning. After singling and reaching second on a failed pickoff attempt, Alescio was unsuccessful trying to steal third, an aggressive move with only one out in the inning in a tied ballgame.'
Despite that unsuccessful try, the Pirates salvaged the final game of their trip to Spartanburg, and improved to 2-4 on the year.
The Pirates will play next in the Kissimmee Irish Classic in Kissimmee, Florida against Seattle, Notre Dame, and Youngstown State from March 2-4.
Chris Russo can be reached at chrisrusso98@gmail.com.
