Pirates Travel South for FGCU Invitational - Seton Hall University Athletics
The 2025 Seton Hall softball team returns to action in Fort Myers, Florida, for the FGCU Invitational from February 14 to 16.
FORT MYERS, FLA. – The 2025 Seton Hall softball team returns to action in Fort Myers, Florida, for the FGCU Invitational from February 14 to 16. Over the course of the three days, the Pirates will play five games: two against Omaha, two against Wisconsin and one against FGCU, the invitational host.
Week One Recap: Pirates Break Even in The Bayou
The Pirates opened their season last weekend down in Lafayette, Louisiana at the 39th Annual Louisiana Classics hosted by the University of Louisiana. The Pirates came out of the bayou with a 2-2 record to start the season. The Hall opened the tournament with a 4-2 win over Louisiana and opened their final day with a 5-3 win over Longwood. Kelsey Carr came in clutch for the Pirates in both games, pitching 13 of the 14 innings and smashing a game-clinching home run against Longwood. Both wins, however, were succeeded by losses to George Mason and Louisiana, respectively.
FGCU Invitational Schedule
Friday, Feb. 14
1:30 p.m. – Seton Hall vs. Omaha (Live Stats)
6:30 p.m. – Seton Hall at FGCU (Live Stats)
Saturday, Feb. 15
11 a.m. – Seton Hall vs. Wisconsin (Live Stats)
1:30 p.m. – Seton Hall vs. Omaha (Live Stats)
Sunday, Feb. 16
10a.m. – Seton Hall at Wisconsin (Live Stats)
Previewing FGCU
- FGCU (3-3) made NCAA Softball Regionals last season.
- Through six games, the Eagles are slashing .271/.331/.350 with 14 stolen bases and a +1 run differential (23-to-22).
- Among their regular starters, six of them have a batting average of .333 or better.
- Their pitching staff is led by 2024 ASUN All-Freshman Team selection Allison Sparkman. After finishing last year 28th in the nation in ERA, the sophomore holds a 2-1 record with a 1.40 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.
- The Mavericks (4-1) made NCAA Softball Regionals last season.
- Through five games, they are slashing .352/.461/.593 with seven stolen bases, six home runs and a +24 run differential (43-to-19).
- Juniors Marra Cramer and Ava Rongisch lead the Mavericks behind the plate. Rongisch is hitting .438 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI. Cramer, meanwhile, is hitting .421 with three home runs and 8 RBI.
- Omaha's rotation is headline by Maddia Groff. The sophomore transfer pitched at SIU last year, earning MVC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-American Third Team honors as a freshman. She pitched a perfect game in her collegiate debut, finished the season 30-5 with 244 strikeouts and a 1.11 ERA. So far this season, she has a 2-1 record with a 1.87 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched.
- The Badgers (4-1) made a run in the BIG 10 Tournament last year as the No. 11 seed, losing in the semifinals to eventual conference champion Michigan in the semifinals.
- Through five games, Wisconsin is slashing .269/.351/.228 with 14 stolen bases, two home runs and a +3 run differential (35-to-32).
- At the plate, the Wisconsin's most successful hitter this season has been sophomore Alivia Bark. This season, she is slashing .571/.647/.643 with four steals.
- In the circle, graduate students Gabi Salo and Molly Jacobson have led the way. Salo has made 3 appearances, including one start, pitching twelve innings with 14 strikeouts and no runs allowed. Jacobson, meanwhile, has a 3.18 ERA in four appearances, including two starts.
NEWS & NOTES - Seton Hall is one of five BIG EAST schools to open the softball season with a .500 or better record.
- Kelsey Carr claimed BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors with two strong wins to open the season against Longwood and Louisiana. The graduate student finished the weekend with 13 innings pitched, 4 strikeouts and a 1.08 ERA.
- In addition to Carr, Andrea Perez earned a spot on the BIG EAST Honor Roll. Perez opened the season strong, reaching base safely in every game this season. The junior registered a .500 batting average with a .583 OBP and one RBI across the four games.
- All but one freshman appeared in a game during the Louisiana Classics.
