Five-Run Sixth Helps Propel Pirates Past Patriots, 8-6

Friday, February 20

Shipyard, S.C.

2:00 p.m.

Seton Hall University

1-1, 0-0

George Mason

0-4, 0-0

Seton Hall

George Mason

Five-Run Sixth Helps Propel Pirates Past Patriots, 8-6

2/20/2026 7:32:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Shipyard, S.C. – Joey Wilga clubbed his first home run as a Pirate while Ryan Frontera and Jake Lopez each collected three hits as the Pirates defeated George Mason, 8-6, in the opening game of the Swig & Swine Classic.

How it Happened
The Pirates, playing as the visitors in this neutral site contest, got right to work in the top of the first inning with good plate discipline. Each of the top four batters in the order drew walks, culminating with a bases loaded walk to Aidan Sengenberger to plate the game's first run. The Patriots would get the run back quickly on an RBI single in the bottom half of the first to tie the score at 1-1.

In the fourth, Seton Hall would reclaim its lead thanks to a Gabe Cavazzoni RBI single to bring home Ryan Frontera. Steven Svenson would maintain The Hall's lead in the bottom half, working around a two out walk and single to escape the threat. Against the Pirate bullpen in the fifth, George Mason would take its first lead of the game thanks to a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.

The Pirates would answer back immediately. Joey Wilga led off the top of the sixth with his first home run in a Pirate uniform, leveling the game at 3-3. After a hit batsman and a double, Shea Grady singled home a pair of runs to give Seton Hall a 5-3 advantage. Later in the frame, two more would score after an RBI single from Nick Tomasetto and a bases loaded hit by pitch from Sengenberger to cap the five-run frame.

George Mason would not shy away, plating three runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull back within a run, 7-6. In the top of the ninth, Cavazzoni would tack on a much needed insurance run with an RBI double to right center to bring home Jake Lopez. In the bottom of the ninth, John Higgins would finish off the six-out save by retiring the Patriots in order. Higgins pitched a pair of perfect innings during his outing and struck out four of the six hitters he faced.

Up Next
The Pirates continue their stay in South Carolina with a pair of games on Saturday. The Hall will face Merrimack at 11 a.m. before taking on Ball State at 3 p.m.