Pirates Drop Rubber Match to Iona

Published: Sunday, March 23, 2025

by Christian Oliveri

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates (9-14) were unable to erase another large deficit on Sunday, as the Iona Gaels (7-14) held on for a 5-3 win in the rubber match. After losing just one home game before the weekend, the Pirates dropped two at home to the Gaels.

Starting on the mound for Iona was right-hander Brenden Callanan, who delivered for the Gaels by allowing just one run over six innings against Seton Hall, setting up his supporting cast to seal the win.

Steven Svenson got the nod for The Hall but ran into trouble almost immediately. He got ahead early in counts, even striking out the first batter of the game. That early success faded after two batters reached base, and James Kemp stepped in. He opened the scoring with a crushing three-run home run that silenced the crowd.

Kemp contributed on both sides, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and flashing the leather at first base. Third baseman Sean Stephenson also played a key role in keeping the Gaels in front, making two diving stops to prevent the Pirates from gaining momentum.

Despite early struggles on the mound, Svenson recovered to record four strikeouts. He was pulled early in the third inning for Mason Christopher, who kept dealing for the Pirates, allowing just two hits over five innings. The dominance on the mound continued as Ryan Frontera entered and held Iona hitless.

Things began to heat up for the Pirates in the seventh inning, trailing 5-1. Center fielder AJ Soldra was hit by a pitch and stole second. Right fielder Aiden Robbins drew a walk. Both runners then stole second and third, putting themselves in scoring position.

Catcher Kevin Milewski, who went 1-for-3 on Sunday, hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Soldra. Left fielder Magnus Krieger, the Pirates’ leading hitter on the day at 2-for-5 with two RBIs, lined a hit into left field to score Robbins.

Seton Hall took advantage of reliever Saul Mata and cut Iona’s lead in half. The Pirates’ late-game magic appeared to be kicking in again.

Although the Pirates outhit the Gaels, 8-5, they struggled to drive in runners in scoring position and became overly aggressive when opportunities arose. Seton Hall left 11 runners on base Sunday.

That aggressiveness at the plate didn’t stop setup man Danny Onorato from sealing the deal, as he left a runner on for Seton Hall in the seventh. Closer Matt Zguro stranded two more in the eighth before striking out Milewski and Krieger to end it in the ninth.

Seton Hall will look to bounce back in its matchup against Hofstra on Tuesday in Long Island before returning home Wednesday to take on Saint Peter’s. First pitch between the Pirates and Peacocks is scheduled for 4 p.m. CJ Weipz and Sean Casey will have the call on WSOU.net.

Christian Oliveri can be reached at christian.oliveri@student.shu.edu. 

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