Softball Edged by Florida State, Nebraska

SHU vs. Florida State Box Score (.html)

SHU vs. Nebraska Box Score (.html)

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Seton Hall softball team lost two more games at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, this time to No. 20 Florida State, 4-2, and then to No. 21 Nebraska, 4-3. Although the Pirates lost, they played their closest games of the season and showed that they can compete against ranked opponents. 

In the first game against Florida State, Seton Hall had the potential tying runs on first and second with two out in the seventh inning, but left the runners stranded after a strikeout.Florida State (11-2) jumped out to an early lead on a three-run homer by Yuruby Alicart in the first inning and then tacked on another run in third.

Seton Hall sophomore Kim Schweitzer (Syracuse, N.Y.) didn't allow another run the rest of the way. She pitched a complete game, giving up four earned runs on seven hits. 

The Pirates got their offense going in the bottom of the third, scoring a run to cut the deficit to 4-1. Sophomore Daria Glynos (Kenilworth, N.J.) singled through the left side of the infield and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Allison Gengler (West Chester, Pa.). Freshman Laura Baranek (Orefield, Pa.) then doubled to right center, bringing Glynos across the plate.

With two out in the bottom of the fifth, Gengler singled down the left field line to start a Seton Hall rally. Freshman Rachel Miller (Monrovia, Md.) was hit by a pitch in the Pirates' next at bat and took first, moving Gengler to second. FSU's Kayla Collins walked the Hall's next two batters, to load the bases and then force Gengler's run home, to make the score 4-2.

Against Nebraska Seton Hall took its first lead of the season in the first inning after Baranek singled through the right side.  The Cornhuskers quickly erased their deficit and scored three runs in their half of the inning.

The Pirates had opportunities to comeback in the second and fourth innings, but left three runners on base in those frames.  Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, junior Jenna Best (Medford, N.J.) ripped a double to the gap into right center that scored Gengler.  Sophomore Kealan Waldron (Oak Park, Ill.) reached on a fielder’s choice to bring Seton Hall within one.

In the sixth, the Pirates had runners on first and second with two out, but could not put the ball in play, as Nebraska went on for the win.

Schweitzer settled in after the first inning, and pitched her finest game of the season, but still took the loss to drop to 0-4.

The Pirates return to action against Hofstra tomorrow at 9 a.m. in the Blue Bracket of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.