The Seton Hall baseball team opened their three-game series in Kissimmee, Fla. on Friday, charging from behind in the seventh inning to win, 14-9, over the Seattle Redhawks. The win improves the Pirates to 3-4 on the season, giving them their first winning streak of 2018.
Led by Matt Toke, the Pirates offense put together a season-high 14 runs and 13 hits. The sophomore Toke was able to reach base five times in his six-plate appearances, as he went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored, in addition to three walks.
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Photo via SHU Athletics[/caption]
The Pirates received great contribution from their entire lineup, as the first six batters in the starting lineup reached base at least three times. On top of Toke, freshman Casey Dana and senior Mike Alescio also had multi-hits games, with the trio taking part in the game-changing four-run rally in the seventh.
Both pitchers exited the game before the end of the third inning, signaling the high-scoring contest that the game ultimately became. Bit by bit, Seton Hall put together runs in the second, third and fourth to take a 4-3 lead. The lead did not last long though, as Seattle put together four runs in the fifth to take a 7-4 lead.
Down by three in the seventh, Alescio and Toke reached base with consecutive walks, and Sebastiano Santorelli brought in a run with a fielder’s choice. Dana then stepped up and doubled to center field, putting two more Pirates in scoring position.
Dana got on base four times, going 3-for-4 with a triple, double, two RBI’s and two runs scored. Meanwhile, Mike Alescio went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI’s and two runs scored.
Still down by two in the seventh, the Pirates elected to pinch hit Nick Dabrio – who appearing in only his fourth game for Seton Hall since transferring from Mercer County Community College – laced a single through the middle-infield gap to tie the game. The hit was Dabrio’s first in his Division I career. Only one batter later, Ryan Ramiz brought Dabrio home with a double to left that gave the Pirates an 8-7 lead.
With the game still close, the Pirates made sure of the win by scoring six runs in an eighth inning in which they sent 11 men to the plate.
Seton Hall will return to the diamond on Saturday, March 3, when it continues play at the Kissimmee Irish Classic against tournament host, Notre Dame.
Elie B. Jean Pierre can be reached at elie.jeanpierre@student.shu.edu.
James Justice can be reached at james.justice@student.shu.edu or on Twitter @JamesJusticeIII.
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