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4/19/1999 12:00:00 AM | General
April 19, 1998 Sports Information, 973-761-9493 BASEBALL (18-13-1; 8-7)
The baseball team posted a record of 5-2 last week. The Pirates opened the week with a 5-2 win over BIG EAST rival Villanova. The Pirates defeated Fairleigh Dickinson twice last week by scores of 13-4 and 18-4. Sandwiched between the FDU game, Seton Hall picked up a 10-5 victory over Conference and intra-state rival, Rutgers. The Pirates closed out the week with a doubleheader split with Providence (2-0 loss and 11-3 win) and dropped the final game of the three-game series with the Friars, 10-8. Seton Hall finishes the week with a record of 18-13-1 overall and 8-7 in the BIG EAST.
On Monday (April 12) junior Damon Ponce de Leon (Demarest, NJ) and sophomore B. J. Benik (Southampton, NJ) combined on a two-hitter to propel the Pirates to a 5-2 victory over Villanova at Richie Ashburn Field. Benik entered the game in the bottom of the sixth inning in relief of Ponce de Leon, who was solid in five innings of work, striking out five and allowing only two hits and two runs to improve to 3-0 this season. Benik, who did not allow a hit in four innings of work, picked up the save, his first of the year. Junior Alfie Critelli (Summit, NJ) finished 3-for-5 with a double. Brian McGee (Marlton, NJ) was 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
On Tuesday (April 13) Seton Hall scored nine runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 13-4 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson at Owen T. Carroll Field. It was the third straight win for the Pirates. Seton Hall pounded out 12 hits, seven for extra bases. Junior Ray Navarrete (Morgan Hill, CA) went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run. Sophomore Shawn Tarkington (Peekskill, NY) was 2-for-3 with a two-run round tripper. Senior John Bravette (Belleville, NJ) was 1-for-3, connecting on a solo shot in the eighth inning. Sophomore Brian Leighton (Brewster, NY) extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double, a triple and two RBI. Sophomore righthander Mike Wren (Montvale, NJ) picked up his first win of the season to improve to 1-1, hurling six innings of six-hit ball, striking out six and allowing only one earned run.
The Pirates avenged a 9-7 loss to in-state rival Rutgers a week earlier with a 10-5 win over the Scarlet Knights on Wednesday (April 14) at Owen T. Carroll Field. Senior lefthander Derek Hurley (Staten Island, NY) allowed only one run over 7.1 innings and the Seton Hall offense scored six runs in the fifth inning and four in the seventh en route the victory. The Pirates broke a scoreless tie with a six run fifth, highlighted by a two-run single by Navarrete and a two-run triple by sophomore Kevin Leighton (Brewster, NY). Both Navarrete and Leighton were 2-for-5 with two RBI on the day. Critelli was 2-for-5 on the day knocking in two runs with an RBI single in the fifth and an RBI double in the seventh. Hurley (1-4) was dominating in picking up his first win of the year, holding the Scarlet Knights hitless for the first 5.2 innings and allowed only five hits while striking out five.
The Pirates picked up their fifth straight win, an 18-4 victory over FDU in Teaneck, on Thursday (April 15). Seton Hall pounded out 20 hits, including six home runs, en route to the win. Freshman Todd Crawford (Lancaster, PA) went 3-for-4 on the day with a pair of home runs. Crawford also drove in four runs on the afternoon. McGee collected three hits (3-for-5), including a homerun, while driving in four runs. Other players homering for Seton Hall included Ross Petruska (Clifton, NJ), Tarkington and Josh Vath (Cedar Grove, NJ). Bravette was 3-for-5 and scored three runs for the Pirates. Justin Acquaviva (Massapequa Park, NY) picked up the victory allowing four hits in 3.2 innings of work.
The Pirates split a doubleheader with Providence on Saturday (April 17), losing the first game 2-0 and winning game two 11-3, at Owen T. Carroll field. The Pirates managed only two hits in game one but came back strong in the nightcap with 18 hits. The game one loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Pirates. Senior lefty John Probst (Parsippany, NJ) started game one, and after allowing two runs (one earned) on three first inning singles and an error, he surrendered only one bunt single over the next six innings. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter while giving up four hits and only one earned run. Probst fell to 3-2 with the loss. Providence's Marc DesRoches (9-1) stymied Seton Hall's offense, throwing seven innings and allowing only two hits. In game two, junior righthander Cameron Esslinger (South Orange, NJ) was brilliant allowing only one run through eight innings. He was pulled after 8.1 innings and finished with three runs allowed on eight hits and only one walk. Brian Leighton, who had a 13-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-for-2 performance in game one, went 4-for-6 with three RBI, including a two-run double. McGee also pounded out four hits in six at bats, knocking in two runs and scoring twice. Freshman Jeff Miller (Springfield, NJ) was 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
On Sunday (April 18), the Friars took the rubber-game of the three-game series with a 10-8 victory. Seton Hall managed 16 hits off of Providence starter Josh Burnham (6-2), but fell behind early
and could not catch up. Providence led 8-4 after four innings and 9-4 after six and held off several Seton Hall rallies to pick up the win. The Pirates were led offensively by Tarkington, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI. Critelli was 2-for-5 with a RBI double and sophomore Joe Cuervo (Warren, NJ) was 2-for-4 with a double. Benik took the loss to fall to 2-3.
NEXT FOR THE PIRATES: Seton Hall travels to Rutgers for a 3:00 p.m. game on Wednesday (April 21). The Pirates move on to Notre Dame for a three-game series. Saturday's (April 24) doubleheader will start at noon with a single game on Sunday (April 25) also beginning at noon.
SOFTBALL (28-4; 6-2)
The Seton Hall softball team posted a perfect 8-0 record last week,
improving its record to 28-4 overall, 6-2 in the BIG EAST. The Pirates
swept doubleheaders from Long Island University (5-3, 8-0), Bucknell (6-1,
10-0), St. Joseph's (4-3, 9-1), and Providence (4-0, 6-2). The Pirates
set a few school marks last week. With their first win against Bucknell,
the Pirates set a school record for most wins in a season. Seton
Hall also bested the school record for most conference wins with its doubleheader
sweep of Providence. The Pirates have won nine straight games.
On Thursday (April 15) Seton Hall set a school record for wins with
24 after defeating Bucknell, 6-1 in the first game and 10-0 in the second
game at Cameron Field. In game one, Seton Hall scored three runs in the
first inning, led by freshman Kim Jackson's (Rockaway, NJ) double, scoring
one. She finished the game going 2-for-3 with one run scored and
one RBI. Junior Vickie Lamb (Yorktown Heights, NY) also helped the
Pirates to victory by going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Sophomore Misty Beaver (Machesney, IL) pitched a complete game for the
Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and striking out 10 to improve her
record to 12-2. In the second game, Lamb began the Pirates scoring
in the first inning with a double and sealed the game with a two-run home
run in the fourth inning. She finished the game, going 2-for-2 with
three RBI. Senior Jen Rosant (Cliffwood Beach, NJ) also helped the
Pirates to victory by hitting a three-run home run in the second inning.
Rosant went 2-for-3 in the game, with a double and four RBI in addition
to the home run. Sophomore Jenn Berghoff (Milford, NJ) pitched her fourth
shutout of the season to give the Pirates the win. She allowed two
hits in five innings and had five strikeouts, improving her record to 12-2.
The Pirates swept a doubleheader from St. Joseph's on Saturday (April
17), winning the first game, 4-3, and the second, 9-1. In the first game,
St. Joseph's jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Pirates
tied the score in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single by Rosant and
an RBI double by Jackson. Seton Hall increased the lead to 4-2 in
the fourth inning when Jackson and Kristina Self (Rockaway, NJ) each scored
on a two-run single by senior Shye Nakabayashi (Irvine, CA). St.
Joseph's pulled to within, 4-3, in the fifth inning on a solo homerun by
Missy Rhoades, but Pirate pitcher Beaver allowed just one baserunner (walk)
the rest of the way. Beaver struck out six in the game to improve her record
to 13-2. The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the
second game, on a solo homerun by Jackson. Seton Hall added two more in
the fourth inning when Lamb homeredher team-leading 11th of the season,
driving in Rosant, who had singled. Seton Hall increased its margin to
4-0 when pinchrunner Christy Dellapenta (River Edge, NJ) scored on a double
by Nakabayashi. Seton Hall added five runs in the sixth inning on
eight hits to end the game early as per the eight-run rule. Berghoff tossed
a four-hitter, while striking out five to improve her record to 13-2 on
the year.
On Sunday (April 18) Seton Hall increased its winning streak to nine
with a doubleheader sweep of Providence by scores of 4-0 and 6-2. With
the wins the Pirates set a new school record for conference victories.
Berghoff threw a one-hitter in the first game, registering nine strikeouts
to improve her record to 14-2, while notching her fifth shutout of the
season. The Pirates scored in the first inning when Nakabayashi singled
and scored on a RBI single by Lamb, who then scored on a single by Jackson.
Seton Hall added two more in the third as Natalie Denning (Manahawkin,
NJ) and Lamb each reached base on walks, and scored on a Providence error.
In the first inning of the second game, Lamb drove in Rosant, who
had singled. Jackson then hit her fifth home run of the season, a two-run
shot to score Lamb, giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead. Seton Hall took
a 4-2 lead in the fourth when Dellapenta walked and scored on a double
by Nakabayashi. In the sixth, Nakabayashi reached base on an error and
scored when Jackson walked with the bases loaded. Rosant was 3-for-4
in the game with two runs scored. Lamb was 2-for-2 with one run and one
RBI while Jackson was 1-for-2 with two RBI. Beaver earned the win, striking
out seven, to improve her record to 14-2.
The Pirates kicked off the week with a doubleheader sweep of Long Island
University. Beaver and Berghoff picked up the wins for the Pirates.
NEXT FOR THE PIRATES: Seton Hall will host Villanova on Saturday
(April 24) for a noon doubleheader. Rutgers comes to South Orange on Sunday
(April 25) for a noon doubleheader. The doubleheader against Lehigh, originally
scheduled for Wednesday (April 21) will be rescheduled for Tuesday (May
4) at 3:00 p.m.
MEN'S & WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK
The men's and women's track teams competed at the Arkansas Invitational
on Saturday (April 17). There was no team scoring in the meet.
Senior Derwin Jones (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad) led the men's team
with a first place finish in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 51.08.
Teammate James Karanja (Thika, Kenya) finished right behind Jones with
a time of 51.16. Karanja, a junior, also took the top spot in the
800 meter run with a time of 1:51.82. Senior Brad Barket (Dallas,
PA) placed first in the 1,500 meter run with a time of 3:53.16. The
men's 4x400 relay team captured a first place finish. The team of
Erich Davis (Penllyn, PA), Ken Nelson (Port Huron, MI), Ned Brooks (North
Babylon, NY) and Jones posted a time of 3:09.93.
The women's 4x400 relay team of Heather Smith (Chicago, IL),
Teneka Horton (Chicago, IL), Audrey Griffin (Hollis, NY), and Marissa Defreese
(Rahway, NJ) finished first with a time of 3:40.21. Lanyka Brown
(Metuchen, NJ) captured a second place finish in the 100 meter high hurdles
with a time of 13.65.
NEXT FOR SETON HALL: The track team will compete at the Penn
Relays on Friday-Saturday (April 23-24).
WOMEN'S TENNIS (9-14; 4-2: includes Fall record)
The women's tennis team posted a 3-0 record last weekend with
wins over Villanova, 5-0, Providence, 4-3, and Massachusetts, 6-3.
The Pirates improve their record to 9-14 overall and 4-2 in the BIG EAST.
On Saturday (April 17), freshman Kylie Lasalle (New Iberia, LA)
earned a win for the Pirates at third singles over Providence's Jesse LeMasters,
6-4, 6-3. Seton Hall also swept the three doubles matches, highlighted
by an 8-2 win from the duo of Lasalle and junior Laura McCracken (Greystones,
Ireland) to secure the 4-3 victory for the Pirates.
The Pirates defeated Massachusetts, 6-3, on Sunday (April 18).
McCracken captured the first singles victory over Helena Horak, 6-1, 6-2.
Sophomore Pille Arike (Tallinn, Estonia) took the second singles, defeating
Ola Gerasimova, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Seton Hall sealed the victory by winning
two of the three doubles matches. McCracken and Lasalle defeated
Horak and Gerasimova, 8-1 at first doubles and junior Evelyne Macko (Longueil,
Canada) teamed with freshman Beth Dugan (Somerset, NJ) to defeat Jackie
Braunstein and Robyn Lebovitz, 9-8. It was the final regular season
match for the Pirates.
Seton Hall kicked off the weekend with a 5-0 shutout over Villanova
on Friday (April 16).
NEXT FOR SETON HALL: The Pirates travel to Miami for the BIG
EAST Tournament being held Thursday-Sunday (April 22-25).
MEN'S TENNIS (6-14; 0-6: includes Fall record)
The men's tennis team dropped three decisions last week, with
losses to FDU (5-2), Massachusetts (5-2) and Connecticut (6-1). Their record
drops to 6-14 overall, 0-6 in the BIG EAST.
On Sunday (April 18) freshman Alex Militec (Blegrade, Yugoslavia)
earned the Pirates' lone point against UConn with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Dave
Broderick at first singles, improving his record to 25-6.
NEXT FOR THE PIRATES: Seton Hall wraps up the regular
season with a 3:00 P.M. match against Rutgers at Ivy Hill Tennis Complex.
The Pirates then travel to Miami for the BIG EAST Tournament held Thursday
through Sunday (April 22-25).
GOLF
The Seton Hall golf team captured first place at the Temple Invitational
held Saturday-Sunday (April 17-18) at Wyncote Country Club in Oxford, PA.
Senior Mike Costigan (London, Ontario) earned individual medalist honors.
The victory marks the second first-place finish in two weeks for the Pirates,
who are ranked first in District 2.
Costigan shot a 148 on the par-72 course, finishing two strokes
ahead of Navy's Joel Almquist to earn the individual title. He shot
a 75 and 73 in the tournament. Seton Hall combined for a 611 (305-306)
to win the team title, finishing five strokes ahead of Navy. Clark
Topping (Hyattsville, MD) tied for fourth place with 152 (73-79) while
Steve Hawley (Shrewsbury, MA) tied for 14th place with 156 (76-77).
NEXT FOR THE PIRATES: The golf team will compete in the Metropolitan
Championships held Monday (April 26).
