DeStaso's three-run homer sparks seven unanswered runs to lift softball to BIG EAST title game.
July 17, 2015
The 2014-15 year was another to remember in Seton Hall Athletics, as the Pirates continued to rise in their second year as a member of the revamped BIG EAST Conference.
Highlighted by three NCAA Regional berths (Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf),there was no shortage of memorable moments across all 14 varsity athletic programs as Seton Hall student-athletes continued to honor and further the University's proud athletic tradition.
Over three weeks, SHUPirates.com in conjunction with BURG will reveal its countdown of the year that was.
A ROSEMONT RALLY
Third-year Seton Hall softball head coach Paige Smith called her seven seniors this past season a “program-changing group.”
Reaching their second BIG EAST Championship in three years, the Pirates were looking to do more than just make an appearance in the tournament. Meanwhile, No. 2 seed and defending champion DePaul was looking to re-claim the trophy, leading 5-2 at the Ballpark at Rosemont with just three innings remaining on a humid Friday afternoon. For the Pirates to make a rally, the game was in the hands of those very seniors.
The leaders of The Hall did not disappoint, as the Pirates came from behind with seven unanswered runs to defeat the Blue Demons, 9-5.
After Seton Hall loaded the bases to start the fifth, senior Sara Haefeli brought in one run with a fielder’s choice to cut the DePaul lead to two runs. Classmate Danielle DeStaso followed her at the plate, and the first pitch she saw changed the game. Maxine Rodriguez gave DeStaso a pitch up in the zone, and the Pirates captain drilled a shot over the centerfield wall for the 35th home run of her career. The three-run round-tripper moved DeStaso into second place in career RBI, boosting her total to 125.
Seton Hall then tacked on three more in the sixth inning when BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Alexis Walkden and Haefeli came up with runners on first and third and each found the left side hole, splitting the Blue Demons third baseman and shortstop with ground balls in successive at-bats to plate a pair of runs. Senior Whitney Jones scored SHU's ninth and final run of the game on a wild pitch.
While DeStaso, the Pirates rotation ace, did not have her best stuff, it was senior Casey Moses who came up clutch in the pitcher’s circle with one of the best performances in her career. The senior allowed only one DePaul baserunner in her final three innings of work. In five total innings of relief, Moses struck out four, including the final batter of the game to ignite a Pirates celebration.
Coming on the biggest of stages, the Pirates also advanced to their first BIG EAST Championship Game since 2005, when Seton Hall won its second straight conference title.
“We want the BIG EAST Tournament to be a familiar place for our program,” Smith said following the season’s end. “This senior class has set a foundation for a long time to come and we could not be more grateful for what they have done.”
The Class of 2015 will certainly be remembered, as will that Friday afternoon when Seton Hall went into DePaul’s backyard and found magic in Rosemont.
VIDEO
http://www.shupirates.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/071715aaa.html
July 17, 2015
The 2014-15 year was another to remember in Seton Hall Athletics, as the Pirates continued to rise in their second year as a member of the revamped BIG EAST Conference.
Highlighted by three NCAA Regional berths (Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf),there was no shortage of memorable moments across all 14 varsity athletic programs as Seton Hall student-athletes continued to honor and further the University's proud athletic tradition.
Over three weeks, SHUPirates.com in conjunction with BURG will reveal its countdown of the year that was.
A ROSEMONT RALLY
Third-year Seton Hall softball head coach Paige Smith called her seven seniors this past season a “program-changing group.”
Reaching their second BIG EAST Championship in three years, the Pirates were looking to do more than just make an appearance in the tournament. Meanwhile, No. 2 seed and defending champion DePaul was looking to re-claim the trophy, leading 5-2 at the Ballpark at Rosemont with just three innings remaining on a humid Friday afternoon. For the Pirates to make a rally, the game was in the hands of those very seniors.
The leaders of The Hall did not disappoint, as the Pirates came from behind with seven unanswered runs to defeat the Blue Demons, 9-5.
After Seton Hall loaded the bases to start the fifth, senior Sara Haefeli brought in one run with a fielder’s choice to cut the DePaul lead to two runs. Classmate Danielle DeStaso followed her at the plate, and the first pitch she saw changed the game. Maxine Rodriguez gave DeStaso a pitch up in the zone, and the Pirates captain drilled a shot over the centerfield wall for the 35th home run of her career. The three-run round-tripper moved DeStaso into second place in career RBI, boosting her total to 125.
Seton Hall then tacked on three more in the sixth inning when BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Alexis Walkden and Haefeli came up with runners on first and third and each found the left side hole, splitting the Blue Demons third baseman and shortstop with ground balls in successive at-bats to plate a pair of runs. Senior Whitney Jones scored SHU's ninth and final run of the game on a wild pitch.
While DeStaso, the Pirates rotation ace, did not have her best stuff, it was senior Casey Moses who came up clutch in the pitcher’s circle with one of the best performances in her career. The senior allowed only one DePaul baserunner in her final three innings of work. In five total innings of relief, Moses struck out four, including the final batter of the game to ignite a Pirates celebration.
Coming on the biggest of stages, the Pirates also advanced to their first BIG EAST Championship Game since 2005, when Seton Hall won its second straight conference title.
“We want the BIG EAST Tournament to be a familiar place for our program,” Smith said following the season’s end. “This senior class has set a foundation for a long time to come and we could not be more grateful for what they have done.”
The Class of 2015 will certainly be remembered, as will that Friday afternoon when Seton Hall went into DePaul’s backyard and found magic in Rosemont.
VIDEO
http://www.shupirates.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/071715aaa.html
