Pirates Drop Second Game of Series Against UConn

Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

by Thomas Baldacchino

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall Pirates (15-27, 2-15) fell to the Connecticut Huskies (29-22, 12-5) on Saturday afternoon in a blowout at Mike Sheppard Sr, Stadium. 

Jason Kuhn got the start on the mound for the Pirates. After retiring the Huskies in order in the first inning, Maddix Dalena cranked a solo shot to open the second inning, which gave UConn an early 1-0 lead.  
The next batter, Nater Wachter ripped a single through the infield. After coughing up back-to-back hits and a run, though, Kuhn settled down and struck out two straight batters.  

UConn would add to the lead when Chase Taylor hit an infield single on the right-side scoring Wachter to make it 2-0. Taylor was able to steal second base, where he later scored on a Peyton Jemison single to add a third run for the Huskies. Jemison would be the last hitter that Kuhn faced as Jayden Barroqueiro came in relief. 

Cayden Suchy started game two of the series for UConn. He was nearly perfect for two and a third innings, but his outing was cut short due to a rain delay. He finished the afternoon allowing just one hit, no runs, while striking out three with two walks. 

Barroqueiro started off his outing well for the Pirates as he went two and a third innings without giving up a run. However, things unraveled for him in the fifth as he allowed two runs on a Jackson Marshall double which made it 5-0. 

The Pirates turned to Matt Pontari to try and limit the damage. This move did not pan out in the Pirates favor. Wachter, Chris Polemeni, Taylor, Anthony Belisario, and Marshall, all tallied RBI knocks against Pontari in the fifth. UConn scored a total of nine runs in the inning to take a commanding 12-0 lead. 

After the rain delay, Charlie Hale took over on the bump for UConn where he continued the trend of dominant pitching for the Huskies. Hale finished with four and two thirds innings pitched, allowing just one run in the bottom of the seventh on a Nick Tomasetto home run to get Seton Hall on the board 12-1. 

Derek Benzinger got handed the rock out of the pen for the Pirates, and he was able to stop the bleeding. He pitched two innings before allowing his first run in the eighth. Belisario had his second RBI of the game with a single to left to make it 13-1. 

The final score stayed put at 13-1 as UConn took the second game of a three-game set. The Pirates will look to avoid the sweep in the series finale tomorrow afternoon at noon on 89.5 WSOU.

Thomas Baldacchino can be reached at thomas.baldacchino@student.shu.edu 

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