Seton Hall
Seton Hall Splits Saturday Doubleheader with Loyola Chicago, Central Arkansas
Date: March 4, 2018By: Joe Binder
After winning their games against SIU Edwardsville and LIU Brooklyn on Friday, the Seton Hall softball team managed to split their doubleheader on Saturday. The Pirates offensive rally came just a bit too late in the first game, resulting in a 4-2 loss to the Ramblers. However, Seton Hall bounced back in the second game to defeat Central Arkansas 4-3 thanks to some timely hitting.
Loyola Chicago got off to an early start against Pirates starting pitcher Chrisa Head, scoring two runs off four hits in the bottom of the first inning. It all began with a leadoff single by Ramblers sophomore Shannon McGee. Teammate Jordyn Cordell followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners with no outs. A quick pop up and another single loaded the bases for junior Brooke Wilson, who made the most of her opportunity. She singled up the middle to plate both McGee and Cordell for a 2-0 lead.
The Ramblers added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning after Junior Katie Kasubke hit an RBI double to the left-centerfield gap. Kasubke later came around to score on a fielding error by second baseman Jaden Tate, to put Loyola Chicago up 4-0. The Pirates' defense was rather sloppy, committing three errors in the game.
Seton Hall's offense also struggled against Central Arkansas, but started to heat up in the final inning. Senior Alexis Walkden led the charge by driving in two runs during the top of the seventh. However, it was not enough as Loyola Chicago hung on to beat the Hall 4-2.
The Pirates fell behind early once again in the second game of the evening. Central Arkansas sophomore Cylla Hill scored on an Oakley Sizemore single in the bottom of the second. Morgan Felts also singled in the following at-bat to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.
Seton Hall answered right back in the top of the third thanks to an Alyssa Prukop solo home run. Brianna Wallace then reached safely on a bunt single down the first base line. After stealing second and advancing to third on a ground out, Wallace scored on a Payton Beaver single up the middle to tie the game 2-2.
Central Arkansas reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after an Alexis Walkden throwing error. This lead did not last for long as the Pirates came storming back in the top of the sixth inning. A Katherine Matthys ground out to the third baseman tied the game 3-3. Then, Sara Foster cracked an RBI single to the shortstop to drive in Alexis Walkden, which turned out to be the game's winning run. Madison Strunk shut the door for the Pirates in the final three innings to seal the 4-3 victory over the Bears. With Saturday evening's win, the team improves to 10-7 on the season.
Seton Hall will be back in action against Buffalo at 2:00 PM on Sunday. The Pirates will look to close out the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational with a win over a 7-8 Bulls team.
Joe Binder can be reached at joseph.binder@student.shu.edu.
