Colonnetta's Walk-Off Single Lifts Pirates to 2-1 Victory

Friday, May 5

South Orange, NJ

2 PM

Seton Hall University

37-15, 0

Butler

17-32, 0

BUTLER

Seton Hall

Colonnetta's Walk-Off Single Lifts Pirates to 2-1 Victory

5/5/2023 5:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

South Orange, N.J. – Kelsey Carr (Ridgewood, N.Y.) allowed just one run over seven strong innings and Ashly Colonnetta (Cypress, Texas) delivered the walk-off single as the Pirates captured a crucial victory, 2-1, on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Pirates can finish no lower than third in the BIG EAST standings and they stay in contention for a share of the conference's regular season crown.

How it Happened
Carr worked herself out of jams often in this one, including in the first inning after a leadoff triple put Cate Lehner 60 feet away. Carr would strike out the next two hitters and induce a flyout to center field to escape the threat.

Butler would, however, grab the lead in the second on a solo home run by Teagan O'Reilly. This would prove to be the Bulldogs' lone tally of the afternoon.

In the third, the Pirates would answer back to tie things up. After a single by Colonnetta and a double by Lela Allen (Phoenix, Ariz.), the Pirates found themselves with two runners in scoring position and only one out. A fielder's choice would cut down a run at the plate and put runners on the corners with two down. Taylor Hill (Little Falls, N.J.) would steal second and draw a throw from the catcher, allowing pinch runner Taylor Soanes (Missouri City, Texas) to dash towards the plate to tie the game.

In the fourth, Butler once again threatened with runners in scoring position early in the frame. O'Reilly doubled to open the inning and moved down to third on a sacrifice bunt. Carr would work her magic again to evade any damage and keep things tied up at 1-1.

In the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs placed two runners aboard looking to take the late lead. With two runners in scoring position, Carr got a popout to shortstop by Paige Dorsett to close the half inning.

In the bottom half, Abby Wingo (Portland, Ore.) worked a walk and Olivia Gilbert (Johnston, R.I.) was hit by a pitch to put two runners on with no outs. After Jenna Blevins (Flat Rock, Mich.) grounded out and Andrea Perez (Corona, Calif.) walked to load the bases, Colonnetta stepped in with a chance to walk it off. On a 2-2 pitch, the senior rocketed one off the glove of Griman in the circle, beating out the throw and scoring Wingo from third.

WALK US OFF ASH!

Ashly Colonnetta hits a rocket back to the circle for an infield single to give us a 2-1 win in a nail-biter!#HALLin🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/vxVdMWJ0Ho
— Seton Hall Softball (@SHUSoftball) May 5, 2023

Notes & Numbers

The win guarantees the Pirates will finish no lower than third in the conference standings.
Wingo's program record 19-game hitting streak came to an end after an 0-for-2 day. She still sits two base hits shy of breaking the single season mark.
Carr was excellent in pressure situations, forcing Butler's offense to go 0-for-12 with runners on base and 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Friday was the Pirates' third win of the season when tallying four hits or less, all of which have come in BIG EAST play.
This is Seton Hall's third walk-off victory of the season.
With two games to play in the regular season, the Pirates still control their own destiny towards capturing a share of the BIG EAST regular season title.

What's Next
The Pirates celebrate Senior Day on Saturday as they face off with Butler for game two of the series. Eight seniors will be honored during a pregame ceremony at 12:45 p.m., with first pitch to follow at 1 p.m.