Hill, Howard's Grand Slams Power Pirates Comeback Over Rutgers - Seton Hall University Athletics
After going down six runs early, a pair of grand slams powered the Seton Hall softball team past Rutgers to sweep the season series.
shupirates.com
Hill, Howard's Grand Slams Power Pirates Comeback Over Rutgers
Softball vs Rutgers on 4/16/2025 - Box Score - Seton Hall University Athletics
The official box score of Softball vs Rutgers on 4/16/2025
shupirates.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – After going down six runs early, a pair of grand slams powered the Seton Hall softball team (27-18, 8-8 BIG EAST) past Rutgers (17-17), 15-8, in a windy-riddled clash to sweep the home-and-home series between the North Jersey rivals.
How It Happened
As winds upwards of 30 miles-per-hour shook the stadium in Piscataway, the Pirates found the winds of momentum to not be in their favor in the opening stages of this North Jersey rivalry. In the bottom of the first, Rutgers plated four runs to put The Hall down 4-0. Despite getting a pair of runners on in the second inning, the Pirates' attempted response fell short as Seton Hall remained down 4-0 after two frames.
In the third inning, the Pirates collected their first run of the day off a fielder's choice from Naya Martinez to make it 4-1, However, Rutgers immediately plated two runs in the bottom of the frame, keeping The Hall's deficit at 4, 6-1.
Across the next two innings, Katey Brennan and Taylor Hill each drove in a run to make it a 6-3 game by the time the bottom of the fifth arrived. Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights collected a solo home run to once again extend the deficit, this time making it a 7-3 Rutgers lead through five innings.
With only two innings remaining, the Pirates knew their chances to come back in this game continued to diminish with every out. Despite an inning-opening groundout, The Hall managed to get a pair of runners on with one out. As the wind continued to swirl, the Pirates finally found momentum. Brennan scored on a fielder's choice by Kelsey Carr, reducing the deficit to three. Hannah Alexander immediately followed that up with a double to score Caroline Hobbes, making it a mere 7-5 Rutgers lead with one out.
With two runners still on amid this sixth-inning rally, a foul out put the rally into jeopardy. Now with two outs, the Pirates had no room for error. In successive at bats, Olivia Gilbert and Hill knocked singles into the outfield, each scoring a runner and tying the game at 7-7. Amid the voracious onslaught by the Pirates hitters, Andrea Perez drew a walk to load the bases and force a pitching change out of the Scarlet Knights.
After grounding out to open the inning, Erin Howard stepped to the plate against a fresh pitcher with a chance to give The Hall its first lead of the day. After drawing a 3-1 count, Howard saw a pitch right in her zone and did not miss. She launched the ball over the left field wall, collecting a grand slam and giving The Hall its first lead of the day, 11-7.
After stepping into the circle in the third inning as the Pirates searched for answers, Carr returned to the circle in the sixth inning looking to preserve the four-run lead. While a runner would score on a sacrifice fly, cutting Seton Hall's lead to 11-8, Carr collected the final out of the inning as The Hall looked to add extra insurance runs in the seventh.
After a fly out to open the inning, the Pirates once again loaded the bases with two outs. This time, Hill stepped into the batter's box with a chance to add more runs. After drawing the count even at 2-2, Hill launched a ball into the wind and over the wall in deep center field for the Pirates' second grand slam in as many innings, extending the team's lead to 15-8. In the bottom of the frame, Carr struck out the final two batters swinging, securing the 15-8 comeback win for Seton Hall and the season sweep over Rutgers.
News & Notes
- The Pirates move to 27-18 on the season and wrap non-conference play with a 17-10 record.
- Seton Hall moves to 22-45 all-time against Rutgers, with the first matchup occurring in 1977.
- In the last two days, the Pirates have scored 26 runs.
- This was the Pirates 12th game of the season with 10+ runs scored, the most in a single season of Coach Churchill's tenure and the most since the Pirates' 12 games in 2017.
- Five Pirates logged two-or-more runs scored, while 10 total pirates logged a run.
- With 6 RBI today, Hill tied her single-game high in RBI and passed 20 RBI on the season.
- Hill now has 9 RBI in her last three games.
- With the grand slam, she also collected her 25th career home run.
- Howard's grand slam was her second home run of the season and her first since February 14 against FGCU.
- Carr recorded her 13th win of the season.
- She also recorded 11th game with two-or-more walks
- In her last seven games, Carr has 16 walks.
- Brennan recorded multiple runs scored for the 16th time in career.
- Martinez knotted her 15th RBI of the season.
- Alexander collected her 25th run scored of the season.
What's Next
After an Easter break, the Pirates will return to action on Friday, April 25, at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field for the opening game of The Hall's penultimate series of the year against Butler. First pitch for game one is slated for 2 p.m.
