Big First Two Innings Doom Pirates in Loss to Rutgers

Published: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

by Caitlin Barrar

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates (11-13, 0-3) fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (17-15) 12-7, in a lengthy matchup at Owen T. Carroll Field Thursday evening.

Looking to end a three-game losing streak, the Pirates struggled from the start on the mound, using seven pitchers in the loss. Freshman John Donahue got his first collegiate start, but his outing ended before he could escape the opening inning.

Rutgers jumped on Donahue early, taking advantage of his lack of command as he quickly fell behind in counts. Seton Hall was down a run after just three batters, but that was only the beginning of the Scarlet Knights’ offensive outburst.

After multiple errors and an early call to the bullpen, the Pirates found themselves behind by five after the top of the first. Donahue finished with only a third of an inning pitched, allowing four earned runs on two hits and two walks.

Despite their bleak start, Seton Hall responded immediately in the bottom of the first. Nick Tomasetto and Magnus Krieger each drove in a run to pull the Pirates within three heading into the second inning, giving Seton Hall early hope of a comeback.

That momentum was short lived, however, as Rutgers returned to the plate and poured in another five runs on just two hits. The Scarlet Knights had the Pirates’ pitching staff figured out and would never look back.

Seton Hall allowed traffic on the bases in every inning except the sixth, where Stephen Curry retired Rutgers in order. Pirates’ pitching surrendered 11 hits, 11 walks, three extra-base hits, while striking out ten – the first of which came in the fourth inning.

Offensively, though, the Pirates showed plenty of fight. Gabe Cavazzoni, Shea Grady, Aiden Dill, and Frankie Scrivanic all came through with key hits as Seton Hall tried to chip away at the deficit – including scoring three runs over the final two innings.

Ultimately it was too little, too late for the Pirates as they dug themselves too deep of a hole early to climb out of.

In most games, a seven-run performance would be enough to put Seton Hall in a position to win. The Pirates totaled 13 hits, six walks, five extra-base hits, and struck out only three times.

Although Rutgers finished with fewer hits, they made theirs count – especially early. In the end, the difference came down to the amount of walks Seton Hall issued and their lack of command on the mound.

The Pirates will now turn their attention to their second BIG EAST series of the season as they travel to Omaha to take on Creighton. Game one is set for April 10th at 7 p.m.

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

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