DeVito, Pirates Blank Pittsburgh, 1-0

Saturday, February 24

Spartanburg, S.C.

5:30 PM

Seton Hall University

2-4

Pittsburgh

5-2

Pitt

Seton Hall

2/24/2018 11:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score HOME INFO BOX SCORE

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Sophomore Ricky DeVito (Staten Island, N.Y.) pitched six scoreless innings as the Seton Hall baseball team shut out former BIG EAST foe Pittsburgh, 1-0, in the Pirates' second game of a split-opponent doubleheader on Saturday.

Runs were scarce as DeVito and Pittsburgh starter Blair Calvo were matching each other inning-by-inning. Neither starter ended up surrendering a run, with the Pirates breaking through for the lone run of the game only after Calvo was pulled. As for the Pirates' bullpen, sophomore Corey Sawyer (Kearny, N.J.) tossed two scoreless innings of relief, before handing the ball to senior Matt Leon (Bethlehem Pa.) for the save.

Turning Point:
With the teams locked in a scoreless tie, the Pirates scored the lone run on an unusual play in the bottom of the seven inning. Freshman Casey Dana (Montgomery, N.Y.) walked to lead off the inning, and Ryan Ramiz (Freehold, N.J.) reached on a throwing error by Pittsburgh reliever Chase Smith. With Chris Villa (Staten Island, N.Y.) at the plate, a pitch by Smith briefly got away from Pittsburgh catcher Cole MacLaren. Dana took a few steps toward third base, but retreated to second once MacLaren collected the ball. MacLaren threw down to second base to try to catch Dana, but the ball hit off Dana's helmet as he dove into second base and ricocheted into right field. Dana got up and scored all the way from second base with the game's lone run.

Inside the Numbers:

DeVito scattered only three hits over six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and two walks in a no decision.
Sawyer was nearly perfect in relief, tossing two hitless innings with two strikeouts and no walks.
Leon tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record his second save of the season.
Senior Mike Alescio (Fair Haven, N.J.) collected three of the Pirates' five hits. He went 3-for-4 with three singles.
Sophomore Matt Toke (Three Bridges, N.J.) walked twice.
Both teams left eight men on base.
Pittsburgh's Chase Smith took the loss in relief.

News & Notes:

With the victory, Seton Hall improved to 65-28 all-time against Pittsburgh.
The win improves the Pirates to 2-4 on the young season, while the Panthers fall to 5-2.
The shutout is Seton Hall's first of the season, and its first since shutting out Villanova in game two of a doubleheader on May 14, 2017. Former Pirate Zach Prendergast tossed a no-hitter.
Today's relief appearance is the 67^th of Leon's career, which ranks seventh-most in Seton Hall history. Former Pirate Luis Fernandez is sixth on the list with 70 appearances.
Leon's save is the sixth of his career. He needs just two more to tie five others for eighth-most in Seton Hall history.
Today's game against Pittsburgh was the first time the Pirates batted last. Seton Hall was the designated "home" team for the neutral site game.

Next Up:
Seton Hall will be back in action on Friday, March 2 when it begins its Spring Break trip in Florida with three games at the Kissimmee Irish Classic. The Pirates will face Seattle, Notre Dame and Youngstown State next weekend. They will begin with Seattle on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.