Softball Season Begins This Weekend In Vegas

LAS VEGAS – The Seton Hall softball team kicks off the 2019 campaign this weekend, heading to the Sin City for five games in three days at UNLV's Marcucci Desert Classic. The Pirates will take on Southern Utah, UNLV, Utah Valley, Long Beach State and North Dakota in season-opening action.

The Hall returns six regulars in the lineup and its top two pitchers from a season ago, while also infusing the returning roster with an influx of freshman talent. Under the direction of seventh-year head coach Paige Smith the Pirates will look to return to the BIG EAST Tournament, recently selected sixth in the league's preseason poll.

See below for a full breakdown of the Pirates by position ahead of the season commencing on Friday.

INFIELD (Five Returning, Three Lost, Three Newcomers)
Headlined by seniors Ragen Reddick (Middlesex, N.J.) and Emily Supercynski (Aurora, Colo.), the infield will be an experienced unit for the Pirates this season. Supercynski totaled 47 starts at shortstop a season ago, while Reddick will look to return to her former All-BIG EAST form after missing the majority of 2018 due to injury. Baylee Allender (Rosharon, Texas) knocked in eight runs during a promising rookie season and along with Jaden Tate (Las Vegas, Nev.) both saw plenty of action as freshmen on the infield.

Darby Pandolfo (Massapequa, N.Y.) slotted in at third base at times last season figures to become a fixture at the position this year. The junior has clubbed seven home runs over the last two seasons and holds a career slugging percentage of better than .450. Joining the Pirates are in the infield are talented freshmen Gabby Ciancio (Marlboro, N.J.), Nicole Gravagna (Riverhead, N.Y.) and Kiana Tate (Las Vegas, Nev.).

OUTFIELD (Three returning, None Lost, Two Newcomers)
Hailey Arteaga (Upland, Calif.) has manned left field the last two seasons and is coming off a strong sophomore season that saw her hit seven home runs and knock in a team-best 34 RBIs. Janae Barracato (Hempstead, N.Y.) is also back after leading the Pirates with 47 hits and nine doubles in a rock-solid rookie season in center field. Senior Brianna Wallace (Fort Worth, Texas) is the third returner in the group and will look continue to terrorize the basepaths after swiping 16 bases a season ago.

Joining the outfield and looking to make an immediate impact are accomplished freshman Alyssa Abron (Sulphur Springs, Texas) and Marisa Pla (San Clemente, Calif.). Aforementioned Pirates Pandolfo and Jaden Tate also saw action in the outfield last season.

CATCHERS (Three returning, None Lost, No Newcomers)
Payton Beaver (Lake Stevens, Wash.) had an outstanding rookie season as The Hall's primary catcher last season, batting a team-best .323 with eight doubles, four home runs and 29 RBIs in 48 contests. Senior Destini Peck (Riverside, Calif.) has played in 104 career contests and totaled 16 doubles, four home runs and 46 RBIs. Also returning behind the dish is junior Katherine Matthys (Spring Branch, Texas) who has made eight career appearances.

PITCHERS (Four returning, One Lost, One Newcomer)
Junior Reganne Camp (Bloomington, Ill.) was one of the top arms in the BIG EAST last season and returns to anchor the Pirate staff this year. Camp has fired 252.1 innings over her first two years in South Orange to the tune of a 3.16 ERA. She has fanned 183 batters against 75 walks in her career and tossed 20 complete games, including three shutouts.

Seniors Chrisa Head (Lewisville, Texas) and Madison Strunk (Adkins, Texas) bring plenty of experience to bolster The Hall in the circle. Junior Mo Sobel (Newbury Parks, Calif.) and freshman Kelsey Gumm (Spokane, Wash,) also figure to be in the mix and give the Pirates a plethora of quality arms.