Getting swept by their in-state rival Rutgers in a mid-week doubleheader Wednesday, the softball team's record drops to 15-17 overall and 0-5 in conference play.
After the two losses, assistant coach Bob Guerriero said the team has many things on which to improve.
"Obviously, we're not where we want to be, or where we need to be, especially in the Big East," Guerriero said. "Somebody's got to step up and be that leader or leaders. Right now, we're looking for that."
Offense was the story for both teams in the second game, as a combined eight runs were scored through the first four innings.
The Pirates dropped the second game of the double header, 11-5.
The Scarlet Knights scored two runs with two outs in the top of the first inning after left fielder Chandler Howard singled to left field.
Rutgers came back with two more runs in the second to pull ahead 4-0.
Freshman pitcher Casey Moses lasted only 1.2 innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
The Pirates answered in their half of the second inning with three consecutive runs, highlighted by a two out single to left field from senior first baseman Kristen Kaelin, making the score 4-3.
The Scarlet Knights blew the game open in the top of the fifth, after Howard smacked a three-run home run to left field, making the score 8-3. Howard recorded five RBIs in the game.
The Pirates threatened in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with only one out, but recorded just one run when freshman Alissa Kerr came in to pinch hit, recording a sacrifice fly to left field, sending freshman Danielle DeStaso home.
In the next inning, the Pirates made two plays at the plate to prevent the Scarlet Knights from extending the lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Pirates scored on a RBI single off the bat of senior Laura Canulli, pulling within three runs, 8-5.
Scarlet Knight centerfielder Lindsey Curran belted a homerun to center field, capping a three-run seventh inning, increasing their lead to 11-5.
In the first contest, Rutgers pitcher Alyssa Landrith no-hit the Pirates en route to a 1-0 victory. Landrith was two errors and a walk away from a perfect game. She also added seven strikeouts during the game.
Guerriero said the biggest reasons for the zero hits in the first game was because of the abilities of Landrith and failure to make batting adjustment.
"This is the first time we faced a lefty all year that I can remember," Guerriero said. "I think she had a good mix of stuff; she changed planes very well. And we didn't make the proper adjustments in the box we could have or should have."
Rutgers designated hitter Loren Williams belted a home run in the top of the first inning for the only offense of the game.
With a chance to force extra innings or to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Pirates went down one, two, three.
Pirate pitcher Moses recorded a complete game, giving up one run, nine hits, walking two, and striking out two.
According to Guerriero, the Pirates' biggest problem offensively is coming up with timely hits.
"Coming out with two outs, and nobody on and getting a base hit doesn't mean squat," Guerriero said. "Coming up with two outs and a runner on second, that's what makes it. We haven't been good in situational hitting, and we need to get there."
Guerriero said he believes the Pirates are a better team than what they appear to be on paper.
"We're not as bad as our record indicates, but we still need to work harder to get to be a force in the Big East," Guerriero said. "And we're not there yet."
T.J. Brennan can be reached at Thomas.brennan@student.shu.edu.
