Pirates Fall to Wagner on the Road

Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2025

by Oren Mouton

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Seton Hall Pirates (7-11) traveled to Staten Island to take on the Wagner Seahawks (8-10) but came up short in a hard-fought 6-5 loss.

Wagner looked for a quick start in the first inning, but a walk by Aiden Robbins and a single from Jimmy Brennan put runners on the corners. The Pirates, however, left both stranded.

Mason Christopher got the start for Seton Hall, but Wagner struck first. Anthony Mazada and Freddy Tavares loaded the bases before Bryce Phelps drove in a run to give Wagner a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second inning, Wagner threatened again with the bases loaded, but AJ Sutera made a crucial throw to complete a 9-2 double play and keep a run off the board. 

Wagner loaded the bases again in the third before a sacrifice fly from Connor Roche drove in Diego Tavares to extend the lead to 2-0.

In the fifth inning, the Pirates finally broke through. Tommy Manzo hit a stand-up double, and an error allowed Zach Soldra to drive him in, cutting Wagner’s lead to 2-1.

However, Wagner answered in the bottom half, as Bryce Phelps led off with a double and Connor Roche followed with an RBI single to restore a two-run lead at 3-1.

The Pirates’ offense came alive in the sixth inning as Marco Ali reached on an outfield error, Aiden Robbins singled, and Jimmy Brennan was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kevin Milewski drew a walk, forcing in a run to make it 3-2.

Magnus Krueger followed with a clutch two-run single to give Seton Hall a 4-3 lead. Another run came in before the inning ended with the Pirates ahead 5-3.

Wagner responded in the bottom of the seventh as Mike Mennella worked his way around the bases before Luke Roche delivered an RBI double, cutting the deficit to 5-4.

Wagner continued to respond in the eighth. Ben Sutera led off with a single, Alex Torres was hit by a pitch and a walk loaded the bases. Freddy Tavares followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 5-5.

Mike Mennella then showed off the wheels for an infield single, driving in the go-ahead run as the Seahawks took a 6-5 lead. Seton Hall closed out the inning but trailed heading into the ninth.

The Pirates’ final push in the ninth saw them get a runner on base with two outs, but Torres recorded the final out for Wagner to snap a nine-game losing streak.

Seton Hall will look to bounce back at home in South Orange on Tuesday against Dartmouth. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Lauren Reese and Ryder Nuesell will have the call on WSOU.net.

Oren Mouton can be reached at oren.mouton@student.shu.edu. 

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