Seton Hall Baseball Picked Third; Three Players Named Preseason All-Big East

Seton Hall baseball was picked third in the Preseason Big East Coaches Poll. The Pirates are slated to finish behind UConn and Xavier. 

The 2023 season was one of progress and momentum for the Pirates. Seton Hall won 31 games last season, it's highest win total since 2016. As a team, the Pirates hit .291, it's highest team batting average since 2014. Their 40 home runs were the most since 1999. 

The Pirates return some key players from last season that will be looking to continue their upward trajectory. Senior outfielder Devin Hack (Somerville, NJ) and his classmate, shortstop, Max Viera were named to the Preseason All-Big East Team. They are joined by sophomore relief pitcher Ryan Reich who also received the preseason honors. 

Hack played in all 55 games for the Pirates last season and led the Big East with a .439 batting average and 36 hits in conference play. He also ranked second with 11 stole bases, second with a .495 on-base percentage and tied for third with two triples. Hack did not commit an error while controlling center field for Seton Hall.

Viera hit .325 in Big East play with a team-best 32 RBI and seven doubles. 

As a freshman, Reich's 2.51 ERA was the second lowest on the Pirates' pitching staff. Reich shined in BIG EAST play with a 0.59 ERA, a .065 opponent's batting average and three saves in nine appearances. He made 18 total appearances throughout the season. 

Seton Hall opens the 2024 season on February 16 in South Carolina where they will take the field against Iowa in the Swig and Swine Classic. They will also face Michigan State and Merrimack during the event. The Pirates follow that up with a three game swing at Georgia State before returning to New Jersey and hosting Wagner for their home opener on February 27.

2024 Preseason Baseball All-BIG EAST Team and Awards

Preseason Player of the Year

Jake Studley, OF, UConn

Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Stephen Quigley, SP, UConn

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team*

C – Owen Carapellotti, Georgetown

1B – Matt McCormick, Xavier ^

2B – Jared Cushing, Xavier

3B – Grant Stephenson, Xavier ^

SS – Max Viera, Seton Hall

DH – Jack Grace, Creighton

OF – Joey Urban, Butler

OF – Jake Studley, UConn ^

OF – Devin Hack, Seton Hall

SP – Garrett Coe, UConn

SP – Stephen Quigley, UConn ^

SP – Dominic Cancellieri, Creighton

SP – Cody Bowker, Georgetown

SP – Luke Hoskins, Xavier

RP – Ryan Reich, Seton Hall

^ - denotes unanimous selection

* due to a tie in voting, there is an extra member on the preseason all-conference team.

BIG EAST Baseball Preseason Poll

First place votes in ( )

1. UConn (6) – 48
2. Xavier (2) – 44
3. Seton Hall – 35
4. Creighton – 29
5. Georgetown – 29
6. St. John’s – 17
7. Butler – 14
8. Villanova – 8

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Gregg Snyder

Gregg has lived in New Jersey is entire life and is a current resident of Somerset County. As a huge sports fan, he is passionate about NJ sports at all levels. The former owner of Double G Sports, Gregg has vast experience in sports media and journalism.

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