Pirates Salvage Series Finale with Charleston

Published: Monday, February 24, 2025

by Jack Pine

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — The Seton Hall Pirates (2-4) wrapped up their first long road trip of the season this weekend, avoiding a sweep against Charleston (5-2) with one win in the three-game series.

The series got off to a slow start for the Pirates, except for brothers Daniel and Ryan Frontera. Ryan went 2-for-4 at the plate Friday afternoon, while Daniel pitched four innings, allowing one run and striking out three.

The Pirates got runners on base and into scoring position early but couldn’t capitalize, stranding five over the first four innings. Seton Hall went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position Friday.

Daniel Frontera started for Seton Hall and looked sharp early, facing just two more than the minimum through the first three innings. Trouble began in the bottom of the fourth when Peyton Frehner homered on the first pitch to open the scoring. Frontera finished the inning but was pulled after allowing two hits and one run on 73 pitches.

Charleston scored in each of the next three innings, and Seton Hall never recovered as the Cougars won the series opener 4-1.

Coach Rob Sheppard turned to Ryan Reich to try to even the series Saturday. Reich faced Charleston’s Aidan Hunter, and early on, the game appeared to be a pitchers’ duel. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, Charleston led 1-0, with each pitcher recording four strikeouts.  

Reich ran out of gas in the fourth, throwing 19 pitches and recording only one out, bringing his pitch count to 91. Sheppard went to the bullpen early, calling on Alex D’Ambrosio, who escaped the inning without allowing a run. Sheppard stuck with a bullpen approach the rest of the game, using a new pitcher each inning.

Hunter had the upper hand and didn’t miss a beat, going seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six.  

Charleston dismantled Seton Hall’s bullpen after that, scoring seven runs between the fifth and eighth innings. Frehner continued his stellar series at the plate, going 4-for-5 and driving in three as the Cougars won 8-1.

The Pirates entered Sunday having been outscored 12-2 in the previous two games. They quickly looked to shift momentum in the first, as Jimmy Brennan homered to left with one on and two out, giving Seton Hall a 2-0 lead. 

The early advantage didn’t last, though, as Peyton Frehner responded with a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning off Cole Hansen, putting the Cougars ahead 3-2.

By the third inning, the Pirates had pulled even at 3-3. That’s when Andrew Bianco stepped in with a solo home run, putting Seton Hall ahead again. In the seventh, with the game tied at 5, lightning struck twice. Bianco’s second go-ahead homer of the game put the Pirates up 7-5.

This time, the lead held, and the Pirates escaped with an 8-5 win, salvaging the series. John Downing earned the win, pitching four innings in relief of Hansen and allowing one run on two hits.

The Pirates will return to action for their home opener Tuesday at 3 p.m. against Wagner at Mike Sheppard Sr. Stadium. Pat Corsello and Nick DiBlasi will have the call on WSOU.net.

Jack Pine is an Assistant Sports Director/Sports Web Editor at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at john.pine@student.shu.edu. 

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