Pirates Host Villanova For Weekend BIG EAST Clash

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall softball team (17-13, 5-4 BIG EAST) begins its weekend series against Villanova (15-14 Overall, 7-2 BIG EAST) on Friday, March 28, at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field. First pitch for Friday' tilt is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday will have first pitch times of 12 p.m.

Last Time Out
For the first time since 2003, Seton Hall faced off against the Wagner Seahawks in a midweek doubleheader at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field. In the opening game, off the back of a 15-run fourth inning, the Pirates secured a 23-0 victory. With the win, the Pirates set new single-game school records in runs scored, walks and margin of victory. In the second leg, the Pirates secured an 8-2 victory.

Schedule
Friday, March 28
2 p.m. – Seton Hall vs Villanova (Live Stats – Stream Link)

Saturday, March 29
12 p.m. – Seton Hall vs Villanova (Live Stats)

Sunday, March 30
12 p.m. – Seton Hall vs Villanova (Live Stats – Stream Link)

Previewing Wagner

Seton Hall is 43-53 all-time against Villanova.
The Wildcats are currently 15-14 on the season with a 7-2 record in BIG EAST play.
Through 29 games, Wagner is slashing .243/.351/.426 with 30 home runs, 138 RBI, 20 stolen bases and a 0 run differential (145-to-145).
At the plate, the Wildcats are led by Maranda Runco. She is currently hitting .365/.467/.730 with 15 runs scored, seven home runs and 23 RBI.
In the circle, Kelsey White and Kat Gallant serve as the front of the rotation. White has a 3.74 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched. Gallant possesses a 4.03 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched.

NEWS & NOTES

With seven more wins across the remaining games, Head Coach Angie Churchill will reach 300 career wins.
With the 23-0 win in game one against Wagner, the Pirates set new single-game school records in runs scored (23), winning margin (+23) and walks (14).
After getting swept by UConn this past weekend, that is the first time the Pirates have been swept by a BIG EAST opponent since the season-opening series against UConn in 2024. It was only the third time the Pirates had been swept during Coach Churchill's tenure.
Friday's 7-0 loss ended the Pirates' 25-game streak to open the season of scoring at least one run in every game.
Through 28 games, the Pirates have the least stolen bases in the BIG EAST with a total of nine. The next-closest team is Villanova with 20 stolen bases.
So far this season, the Pirates own one of the most potent offenses in the BIG EAST. The Hall is tied for first in home runs (30), while also leading the conference in walks (113) and on-base percentage (.408) . Outside of those categories, the team ranks second in slugging percentage (.464), RBI (154), runs (164) and plate appearances ( (914).
The Pirates have the best plate discipline in the BIG EAST this season. Through 28 games, the Pirates have 113 walks with only 78 strikeouts.
With two runs scored this week, Taylor Hill can become the program record holder in runs scored. The current record is held by Alexis Walkden with 147 career runs scored.
After a two home run week, Kelsey Carr tied Danielle DeStaso for the third-most home runs in program history (35).
Carr is also among the top hitters in the BIG EAST in slugging percentage (1^st, .821), walks (1^st, 27), home runs (1^st, 10), saves (T-1^st, 2), on-base percentage (2^nd .524), Wins, (T-3^rd, 8) and RBI (4^th, 30).
Entering the week, Olivia Gilbert has the second-most RBI (32) and 10^th most total bases (49) in the BIG EAST.
Katey Brennan enters the week tied for second in the BIG EAST in walks (22), fourth in on-base percentage (.491), third in runs scored (29) and tied for fourth in doubles (7).
- Brennan has reached base safely in 15 consecutive games, as well as 26 of 28 games this season.
So far this season, Caroline Hobbes ranks tenth in the BIG EAST in both batting average (.372) and hits (29).
Through 28 games, Taylor Hill sits tied for sixth in the conference in runs scored (24) and fourth in walks (18).