Seton Hall softball earned recognition from the BIG EAST after a dominant weekend at the Paladin Invitational in Greenville, South Carolina. The Pirates went a perfect 5-0, highlighted by two dominant performances that led to weekly honors from the conference.
Sophomore outfielder Angelina Benitez was named BIG EAST Player of the Week after powering the Pirates’ offense throughout the tournament. The Highstown, NJ native hit .524 with six runs scored and nine RBI across five games, helping The Hall stay undefeated over the weekend.
SHU’s leadoff hitter, Benitez had clutch moments all weekend: In a 10-9 win over West Georgia on Feb. 27, Benitez recorded two hits, scored twice and drove in the game-winning run. She followed that with another strong performance the following day in SHU’s second game against Winthrop, with three hits, two RBI and a run in an 8-7 win.
Senior pitcher Kyra Kreuscher also earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. Making an appearance in all five of the Pirates’ tournament games, only starting one, Kreuscher’s best outing came in their final game against George Mason on March 1, when she threw three shutout innings and struck out five while allowing zero hits. The Great River, NY native also worked three innings earlier in the weekend against Winthrop, giving up just one earned run.
Now 6-7, the Pirates will open conference play on the road against Creighton (6-14) and BIG EAST Freshman of the Week Keegan Mayhue from March 6-8. The series will be an early test against a conference opponent and a chance for the Pirates to carry their momentum into league play.
With Benitez swinging a hot bat and Kreuscher leading the pitching staff, SHU is set to start conference play on a winning note.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
