Seton Hall University
Connecticut
Softball Splits with Huskies
4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall University softball team used a dramatic comeback to claim game one in its BIG EAST series with the University of Connecticut, 11-10, but lost the second game of a doubleheader, 11-1, on Saturday afternoon at Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field in South Orange, N.J.
The Pirates trailed by as many as six runs in game one before storming back to win the game. In the second game the Hall was unable to overcome a second-straight hot start for the Huskies.
Prior to the first game the Pirates celebrated Senior Day, honoring the three members of the Class of 2013 that were suiting up for their final series at Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field: first baseman Kirby Groves (Yardley, Pa.), shortstop Brittany Hammer (Manheim, Pa.) and pitcher Brooke Rickards (Greenwood, Del.).
Seton Hall now sits a game and a half out of the No. 8 spot in the BIG EAST standings with four conference games remaining. The Pirates are 5-12 in the league, with Rutgers and Connecticut ahead of them in the rankings at 7-11.
-- Game One --
Connecticut scored six times before Seton Hall started to take advantage of its offensive opportunities. The first five runs of the day for the Huskies came off of home runs, including three deep shots in the top of the second inning, highlighted by a two-run home run to right center for center fielder Kim Silva.
The Pirates stranded two runners on base in each of the first two innings and then broke through for three runs in the third. With the bases loaded Connecticut starter Kiki Saveriano hit SHU catcher Alex Rabbetts (Corona, Calif.) to bring the Pirates’ first run of the day across the plate. Sophomore right fielder Colltey Sheldon (Peoria, Ariz.) did even more damage with a two-RBI base hit to right center.
The Huskies managed to recoup all three runs in the top of the fifth. Lexi Gifford led off the inning with a triple down the right field line, the first of two triples for Connecticut in the inning, the other coming off the bat of Silva, who picked up an RBI with her three-baser. Emily O’Donnell drove in the third run to make it 9-3.
Seton Hall played a little long ball to jump start its comeback in the fifth. Junior Meredith Henze (Elkton, Md.) smashed her first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left center field with just one out, to spark what turned into a four run inning for the Hall.
Sophomore Casey Moses (Lower Burrell, Pa.) retired the Huskies in order in the sixth in what was the only 1-2-3 inning for either team in the game, meaning the Seton Hall deficit remained at just two.
The Pirates went on to notch four runs on four hits in a clutch sixth-inning rally. Following a Sheldon single to center Henze picked up her second extra-base hit of the game, a double to left. Freshman Yasmin Harrell (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) came through with a two-RBI double to right, scoring Sheldon and Henze to tie the game at 9-9.
One batter later it was Hammer that delivered what proved to be the game-winning base hit, a two-RBI single scorched down the left field line, bringing sophomore Sara Haefeli (Montclair, N.J.) and Harrell home.
Connecticut would make things interesting in its last at bat. Brittany Duclos led off the frame with a solo home run and Alyssa Gardea singled to left with nobody out but Moses retired three of the final four batters she faced to preserve the victory and pick up her first win of the year.
Hammer finished the game going 3-for-4 with two RBI, a run scored and a walk. Sophomore Danielle DeStaso (Congers, N.Y.) was 2-for-5, Sheldon was 2-for-5, extending her hitting streak to six-straight games, and Henze continued her hot streak at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance.
-- Game Two --
Gifford homered for the second time, this time a three-run shot to left field in the top of the first inning, to provide the catalyst that led to a four-run UConn lead through a half inning in game two.
Two more Connecticut RBI base hits in the second extended the Huskies’ advantage to 6-0. With her team down 6-0 for a second time Rabbetts tried to kick start a Seton Hall rally to mimic the game-one comeback, blasting her fifth home run of the season over the fence in left center.
This time Seton Hall was not able to match Connecticut’s offensive production as the Huskies went on to earn the split with an 11-1 win.
Harrell was able to extend her season-high hitting streak to 10-straight games with an infield hit to short stop in the third inning, finishing the game 1-for-3 at the plate.
Seton Hall and Connecticut will meet for game three of their weekend series on Sunday, April 28, at Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field in South Orange, N.J. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
