The Seton Hall softball team welcomed back former players on Sunday for the team’s annual alumni game. The game lasted four innings, with the players of 2017-18 taking down those brought together from years’ past by a final score of 2-0.
The two runs for the 2017-18 Pirates came in the first inning via an RBI double with no outs and an error with two outs.
[caption id="attachment_20284" align="aligncenter" width="838"]
Photo via SHU Athletics[/caption]
That being said, the score, as clearly evident from the constant embrace between players past and present, was not what mattered on the day. The game proved to be a win for the entire program for what it provided to players and coaches, including Pirates head coach Paige Smith.
“I love [the alumni softball game],” Smith said. “I love hearing about everybody’s past experiences at Seton Hall and it’s good to see people come from different generations.”
Smith was not the only one who became captured in the moment, as alumni were just as excited to be welcomed back to Seton Hall.
“It was great being back here,” alumni Fran Perullo said. “Seeing how the facility has changed and sharing some old memories.”
And the joy that came from having alumni, like Perullo, back on the Pirates’ field could be visibly seen on the current players. Junior pitcher Chrisa Head spoke of how their presence on Sunday added to the atmosphere.
“It’s cool to play with players who have played before us and wore the same uniform,” Head said. “It puts a positive vibe in the atmosphere.”
Sharing the ballpark allowed the current squad to experience the community that is ageless within the program.
“The thing I am most proud of is the sisterhood the girls have created,” Smith said. “It's just cool to see the alumni get a hit and hug our first basemen.”
Throughout time, the school may have changed, the equipment may have changed and the field may have changed. But there is one concept that has stayed consistent for every Seton Hall softball player throughout the years, according to Perullo:
“We still bleed pirate blue.”
Robert Fallo can be reached at robert.fallo@student.shu.edu.
Comments
