Pirates Shut Down by Marist in Opener

Published: Friday, March 28, 2025

by Caitlin Barrar

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates (10-16) fell to the Marist Red Foxes (11-12), losing 8-0 in a lackluster offensive showing Friday afternoon. The Hall’s pitching struggles continue to mount as they prepare for conference play.

Marist took advantage early of starter Ryan Reich’s poor command. By the end of the first inning, and a few wild pitches later, Marist was already up 2-0 on the Pirates. After that, the Red Foxes never looked back.

Reich stayed in for only two innings before coach Rob Sheppard called to the bullpen. Freshman right-hander Stephen Curry took over on the mound and was able to slow down Marist’s small-ball offense, regaining control of the zone for the Pirates. Reich ended up taking the loss for the Pirates, dropping his record to 0-5.

In this game, however, Marist took control with its ability to play small ball by laying down bunts and grinding out steals—a strategy that wouldn’t hurt the Pirates to try.

On offense, the Pirates struggled against Marist’s Will Taylor. Taylor earned the win, allowing only three hits in seven and one-third innings. The Pirates did not reach second base until the eighth inning.

The Pirates finally gained some life after a sixth-inning hit from Jimmy Brennan, the team’s first of the game. However, they had dug themselves into too big of a hole, trailing 6-0, and could not muster a comeback despite later hits from Kreiger and Pacheco.

In a game with few positives for the Pirates, they hope Curry can build on his shutdown outing today, and Brennan can continue to gain consistency in his at-bats.

With conference play approaching, the Pirates need consistency in pitching and at the plate if they want to make a run this season.

The Pirates will look to bounce back against Marist on Saturday in the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. AJ Rayer and Jake Marcial will have the call on WSOU.net.

Caitlin Barrar can be reached at caitlin.barrar@student.shu.edu.

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