SHU Starts League Play with VU, Adjusted Schedule

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - After 22 games out of league play, the Seton Hall softball team (9-13, 0-0 BIG EAST) begins BIG EAST action this weekend with a three-game series against longtime rival Villanova (14-13, 0-0 BIG EAST). The weekend schedule has been adjusted and will now feature a single game on Saturday before a doubleheader on Sunday. Both days of action will begin at 12 p.m. with full streams on the Pirate Sports Network.

The Hall was most recently in action at the USF Series in Clearwater, closing their nine-game trip last Saturday. Villanova took part in a tournament at the University of Maryland last weekend, going 1-3 with a win over Saint Peter's.

LEADING OFF >>

The Hall is led offensively this season by junior Hailey Arteaga (Upland, Calif.), as the slugger is batting an even .400 with team-highs of 11 doubles and 17 runs scored
Katherine Matthys (Spring Branch, Calif.) has come on strong in recent weeks and is second on the squad with a .346 average, while Darby Pandolfo (Massapequa, N.Y.) has clubbed a team-high four home runs
Both Janae Barracato (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Destini Peck (Riverside, Calif.) have knocked in 10 runs for the Pirates and Baylee Allender (Rosharon, Texas) has added three home runs
In the circle, Kelsey Gumm (Spokane, Wash.) has fired 31.2 innings to the tune of a team-best 3.98 ERA and three saves, while Reganne Camp (Bloomington, Ill.) leads The Hall with 46.0 innings logged and 52 strikeouts

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS >>

Villanova enters the weekend a game over .500 with a 14-13 overall record
Two-way star Paige Rauch has powered VU with a .365 average, eight home runs and 23 home runs at the plate while also firing 80.1 innings and holding a 2.35 ERA in the circle
Delaney Switzer is second on VU with a .325 average and Julia DaCosta has clubbed seven home runs with 21 RBIs
The Hall is 36-43 all-time against Villanova in a series dating back to 1985

WHAT'S AHEAD
Following the conference-opening weekend, The Hall will visit Fairfield on Tuesday, March 26 for midweek action.