Seventh Inning Rally, Smith's Dominance Power Pirates to Doubleheader Sweep

Saturday, March 4

Lubbock, Texas

1:30 PM

Seton Hall University

6-6

North Dakota

1-17

North Dakota

Seton Hall

Seventh Inning Rally, Smith's Dominance Power Pirates to Doubleheader Sweep

3/4/2023 10:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Lubbock, Texas – Two big innings were the difference for Seton Hall softball on Saturday, earning a doubleheader sweep over North Dakota and Texas Tech. The Pirates rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the Fighting Hawks in game one, while a three-run second inning was all Shelby Smith (Friendswood, Texas) needed in the circle to defeat the Red Raiders in the night cap.

Game 1: Seton Hall 6, North Dakota 5
How it Happened

North Dakota came out swinging, scoring in the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead.
The Pirates got a run back in the fourth inning, as Abby Wingo (Portland, Ore.) singled to right field to bring home Marisa Pla (San Clemente, Calif.) to make it a 2-1 game.
After North Dakota put up a three spot in the sixth, the Pirates found themselves down 5-1 entering their last turn at bat.
With runners on the corners and two out, Lauren Caye (Pittsburgh, Pa.) came home on a wild pitch to make the score 5-2. After back-to-back walks, Ashly Colonnetta (Cypress, Texas) reached on an error which allowed two runners to score to make it a one run game.
Taylor Hill (Little Falls, N.J.) would step to the plate and lace a single up the middle to tie the score at 5-5. Next was Kelsey Carr (Ridgewood, N.Y.), who also singled back up the middle to bring home the game-winning run and complete the Pirate rally.

Notes and Numbers

This marked Seton Hall's first walk-off victory since May 2, 2021 when it defeated Villanova, 10-9, in 10 innings.
Hill has hits in each of her last four games and is batting .343 through the first 12 contests of the season.
Smith is batting .411 (7-for-17) over her last five games.

Game 2: Seton Hall 3, Texas Tech 2
How it Happened

Three runs in the second inning proved to be all the Pirates needed to pull out the victory. Each of the first four batters of the second reached on a base hit, beginning with back-to-back doubles from Lela Allen (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Wingo to make it 1-0.
After Wingo moved to third on an Olivia Gilbert (Johnston, R.I.) single, she was brought home on an Andrea Perez (Corona, Calif.) infield single to make it 2-0. After a groundout, Colonnetta brought home the third Pirate run on a single to right field.
The only blemishes on Smith's pitching line were solo home runs in the third and sixth innings.
In the seventh, Texas Tech threatened to tie or win the game with runners on second and third with two out. Smith induced a fly ball to Wingo in center field to end the threat and preserve the Pirate victory.

News & Notes

Smith has pitched 14 innings across her two starts this weekend, following up her career-high matching 12 strikeouts on Friday with a 10-strikeout performance tonight.
This is the first time in Smith's career in which she has had back-to-back appearances with double digit strikeouts.
Wingo now has four doubles this season, all of which have come this weekend.

What's Next
The Pirates conclude their trip to Texas on Sunday at 11 a.m. when they face in-state rivals Rutgers.