The Hall Hosts DePaul To Open BIG EAST Play

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall softball team (13-16) kicks off conference play this weekend when it plays host to DePaul (17-11) for a three-game set. The two sides will square off beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 24 at 12 p.m. before the series finale on Sunday, March 25 which has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start. All three contests will be streamed live and FREE on the Pirate Sports Network.

LEADING OFF >>

The Pirates are coming off a 6-1 setback to CCSU in their home opener on Tuesday
In that contest, Alexis Walkden (Cibolo, Texas) scored her 132nd career run to set a new Seton Hall program record
Walkden is currently chasing program records for hits, home runs, doubles, walks and batting average, ranking top-five in each category
Payton Beaver (Lake Stevens, Wash.) leads The Hall with a .353 batting average, followed by fellow freshman Janae Barracato (Hempstead, N.Y.) with a .349 mark
Walkden paces the Pirates with six home runs, 16 RBIs and 15 runs scored on the year
In the circle Madison Strunk (Adkins, Texas) has tossed a team-high 71.2 innings and walked only seven batters, holding a 3.52 ERA

DEPAUL SERIES NOTES >>

The Hall is 6-23 all-time against DePaul, but won two of three against the Blue Demons last season
The series win was the first ever road series win against DPU and the first overall series win since 2008
The Hall won the series opener, 10-5, behind three-hit days from Sara Foster, Lauren Fischer and Alexis Walkden
After dropping game two, The Hall notched a dramatic 7-6 comeback win in the rubber game thanks to a go-ahead bases clearing double from Walkden

SCOUTING DePAUL >>

The Blue Demons enter conference play with a 17-11 record on the year
Maranda Gutierrez leads DPU with a .338 average, followed by Morgan Greenwood at .329
In the circle Missy Zoch holds a 1.61 ERA and Pat Moore has notched a 2.06 ERA with a team-high 90 strikeouts

WHAT'S AHEAD
Following the DePaul series, the Pirates will host Fairfield for a midweek contest on Tuesday, March 27.