Pirates Softball Complete Palmer Invitational Tournament

Published: Monday, March 3, 2025

by Anthony Collins

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - The Seton Hall Pirates softball team (5-9) just capped off another tournament, playing in a five-game stretch throughout their three days in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In the first game they played they fell short, running into the tournament-hosting team in the #25 ranked Virginia Cavaliers. The Pirates went head-to-head with the hosts but fell in a high-scoring affair of 11-6. The Pirates fell into a hole early in the game, giving up a three-run home in the first inning, then a four spot in the fourth.

The Pirates started to chip away later in the game, putting up a huge four runs in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 8-6. The rally started with an Erin Howard leadoff double, then a two-run single was driven in by Katey Brennan. RBI singles from Olivia Gilbert and Hannah Alexander followed shortly after. However, Virginia then responded with three runs of their own in the same inning to hold on to win this one.

Once this game wrapped up, the Pirates would have to play another game right after, taking on the Hofstra Pride. The game was back and forth from start to finish on the offensive end, with both teams combing for 25 runs that went down to the wire. Unfortunately, the Pirates would fall short, losing by just one run with the score being a 13-12 final.

The Pirates offense exploded on all cylinders with the lineup from top to bottom, with each player putting up a hit in this one. Three different players had three-hit games, with credit to Taylor Hill, Howard, and Andrea Perez. Gilbert was once again able to put up a pair of RBI singles. Despite the result, the lineup had executed their small ball approach to perfection, getting on base 24 times with 12 runs.

The next day, the Pirates faced two matchups, taking on Cornell first. This time it was a much different game, being a low-scoring win of 4-3. The game was tied 1-1 heading into the final inning, with Cornell putting up two runs to take the lead 3-1. The Pirates needed to respond with their backs against the wall.

Kelsey Carr was the hero for this team, as she crushes a clutch three-run walk off homer to dead center to give the Pirates their first win of the tournament. Carr was also put in to close out this game on the mound, ultimately winning the game for the Pirates.

The following day the Pirates get another chance to upset the hosting ranked opponent in this tournament, rematching Virginia. But in this one, it was all Cavaliers, as they put up a 13-run inning in the third as the Pirates lost 18-5 in 5 innings. Later that same day, the Pirates faced another team for the second time in 
this tournament, being the Cornell. This time, they wasted no time, as the Hall exploded for nine runs in the first two innings.

In the first inning alone, they put up a five-piece. Hannah Alexander and Olivia Gilbert both started the game driving in the first two runs. Caroline Hobbes, who has hit the ball well in this tournament as of late, continued her hot streak by driving in a two-run double.

Kyra Kreuscher capped off a terrific first inning by getting her first-career RBI. The Pirates kept the bats going in the second inning, capitalizing off of three errors by Cornell 
to score four runs, giving them a 9-0 lead early in the game.

Despite Cornell threatening with a four-run fifth inning of their own, it was not enough to come back. The Pirates were able to hold on 11-6 in their final game of the tournament.

After a long up-and-down tournament in Virginia, the Pirates will head back home to South Orange where they will face in-state rival Rutgers this Wednesday, March 5. You can catch all the action here on WSOU.net.

Anthony Collins can be reached at anthony.collins@student.shu.edu.

 

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