Pirates Open Season at NC State This Weekend

PREVIEW:
Seton Hall will open the 2018 regular season with three games at No. 23 NC State this weekend. The games will be carried live from Doak Field via video stream on ACC Network Extra and via audio stream free of charge on the Pirate Sports Network at www.SHUpirates.com.

The Pirates will have a new look this season with several regular starters from the 2017 team having graduated. Senior Mike Alescio is expected to return to catcher to take over for the departed Matt Fortin. Senior Ryan Ramiz will return to lead the outfield, but he'll have new starters in right and left field. Newcomer Nick Dabrio, as well as Christian Del Castillo, Tyler Shedler-McAvoy and freshmen Michael Riley and Will Rittweger will look to fill the voids. On the infield, Al Molina and Matt Toke are expected to return to their usual positions at shortstop and first base respectively, but jobs are up for grabs at second and third base with returnees Rob Dadona and Connor Hood, and freshman such as Casey Dana looking to take advantage.

On the mound, the Pirates will have options with three-time Preseason All-BIG EAST pick Shane McCarthy leading the way. Senior Matt Leon will look to captain the bullpen.

SERIES INFORMATION:
Although the Pirates have played 69 games in their history against North Carolina, they have never faced NC State.

NC State is coming off a strong season in 2017. The Wolfpack finished with an overall record of 36-25, and earned an at large bid to the NCAA Regionals. After winning its first two games in the Lexington Regional, they fell to top-seeded Kentucky twice, which ended their season. This season, N.C. State was picked to finish fourth in the seven-team Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Returning for N.C. State are sophomore Brad Debo, who led the team with a .335 batting average, and junior Brett Kinneman, who clubbed 10 home runs in 2017. Starting pitchers Brian Brown, Michael Bienlien and Johnny Piedmonte also return. They combined for 32 games started for the Wolfpack last season.

THINGS TO KNOW:
RECENT NEWS
A trio of Pirates were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Pitchers Shane McCarthy and Cullen Dana were joined by senior outfielder Ryan Ramiz on the 15-man team. McCarthy and Dana were two of only four starting pitchers on the team. Dana was one of only four unanimous selections.

LAST SERIES
Seton Hall's 2017 season came to an end in the BIG EAST Championship in Omaha, Neb. last May. The Pirates dropped a pair of very close games to Creighton, and then St. John's in the double-elimination tournament.

HOT HITTER
Sophomore Matt Toke enters the 2018 season riding an 11-game hit streak. The first baseman led Seton Hall last year with a .321 batting average, but upped his game down the stretch last year. During the 11-game streak to end the season, he batted .400 with eight RBIs.

ON THE MOUND
Redshirt junior Andrew Politi emerged as a reliable mound presence last season, primarily as a reliever, but is expected to be a regular starter in 2018. Politi had a 3.13 earned run average for the season, but was more dominant as the season went on. Over his last 12 appearances, Politi had a 1.33 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 20.1 innings pitched.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE
St. John's was named the preseason favorite to win the BIG EAST Conference in 2018. The Red Storm received five of seven first place votes, with the other two going to Xavier. The Musketeers were picked second. Creighton was picked third, just one point ahead of the Pirates. Butler was picked fifth, followed by Georgetown and then Villanova.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE II
St. John's outfielder Anthony Brocato was named Preseason Co-Player of the Year with Butler's Tyler Houston. The Red Storm's Sean Mooney was picked as Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

PIRATE SPORTS NETWORK
The Pirate Sports Network at SHUpirates.com will again provide free live video streaming of all Seton Hall home baseball games. Additionally, Sports Information Director Matt Sweeney will provide a free live audio stream of most road contests. Be sure to visit the PSN at SHUpirates.com!

IN THE PROS

Zack Granite (2011-13) became the most recent Seton Hall alum to reach the Major Leagues when he was called up by the Minnesota Twins on July 8, 2017. Granite batted .237 in 93 at bats with a home run and 13 RBIs.
Jose Lopez (2012-14) was named to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster last fall. The right-hander went 7-2 with a 2.43 ERA in 15 starts in double-A Pensacola last summer.
Derek Jenkins (2013-16) reached as high as double-A in the Los Angeles Angels system last summer. The speedster stole 18 bases over three levels in 2017.
Josh Prevost (2011-14) sat out the 2017 season to recover from surgery, but is expected to return to action for the Mets farm system this spring.
2017 graduates Chris Morris, Zach Prendergast and Zach Schellenger all made their professional debuts over the summer. Morris was drafted by Texas, Schellenger by Boston and Prendergast signed as a free agent with St. Louis.