February 27, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Seton Hall pitchers Matt Duignan and B.J. Benik tossed back-to-back complete games as the Pirates took both ends of a doubleheader from the University of Virginia here Saturday, 8-0 and 10-2. Virginia falls to 4-8 with the losses, while Seton Hall improves to 3-0.

The Pirates plated eight runs on 12 hits in the opener, jumping out to a 5-0 lead with three runs in the second and two in the third. Seton Hall added another run in the sixth and two more in the eighth via a hit, a UVa error and a sacrifice fly.

Meanwhile, Duignan (1-0) silenced the Cavalier bats, allowing just four hits with two walks and four strike outs in the shutout. The Cavaliers got a runner to second only twice and both times came in the first five innings. Duignan only allowed two base runners in the final four frames, one of which was erased on a doubleplay.

Kevin Shrout (1-2) took the loss for the Cavaliers. The junior right hander surrendered six runs on 10 hits in six innings of work with four walks and four strike outs. Mark Hurrie spelled Shrout, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, on a hit and three walks in one inning. John Thomas pitched the final two innings, scoreless with a hit and a walk.

In the nightcap, Benik allowed a couple of runs on three hits in the first inning for Seton Hall, but then held Virginia scoreless on three hits and one walk the rest of the way.

The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Virginia answered with a two-spot in the bottom of the inning. After Ryan Kalamaya led off with a single and then stole second, David Stone tripled to center to plate Kalamaya. Jonathan Benick then single, scoring Stone and knotting the score.

However, Seton Hall took the lead on a run-scoring single by Jeff Miller in the top of the second. The score remained 3-2 until the seventh when the Pirates plated a pair of runs on three hits. John Bravette had an RBI double and Brian Leighton scored another run on a fielder's choice.

In the eighth, SHU put the game away with a little help from the Cavaliers. The Pirates scored five unearned runs thanks to three hits and five UVa errors.

Benik (1-1) struck out five in his first complete game of the season. Brandon Creswell (2-1) suffered the first loss of his career after going 2-0 last season. The sophomore Southpaw allowed five runs on 10 hits over seven innings of work with a couple of walks and seven strike outs. Tommy Keiper took the mound for the eighth and was saddled with five runs, all unearned.

UVa and Seton Hall will square off here again Sunday for the series finale at 1 p.m.

SETON HALL 8, VIRGINIA 0

 Game 1
 SHU (1-3)   032 001 020 - 8 12 0
 UVa (4-7)   000 000 000 - 0  4 1

WP - Duignan (1-0). LP - Shrout (1-2). Sv - None. Duignan and K. Leighton; Shrout, Hurrie (7), Thomas (8) and Rueffert. T - 2:34. A - 244.

SETON HALL 10, VIRGINIA 2

 Game 2
 SHU (2-3)   210 000 250 - 10 13 1
 UVa (4-8)   200 000 000 -   2   6 5

WP - Benik (1-1). LP - Creswell (2-1). Sv - None. Benik and K. Leighton, Tarkington (4); Creswell, Keiper (8) and Benick. T - 2:17. A - 244.