SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Pirates won two close games over the Bulldogs on Friday afternoon to open up BIG EAST action. Seton Hall edge Butler 3-2 in game one and collected a 7-5 victory in the nightcap.
 
The forecast in South Orange changed the schedule for the two teams. Butler and Seton Hall were slated for a doubleheader on Saturday, but played two on Friday due to incoming rain this weekend.
 
The 'Dawgs scored first in the opener with Freddie Matos doubling to left center to score Aaron Steinhart in the third. SHU tied it up in the bottom half on an extra base hit.
 
The 1-1 tie was broke up in the fourth with a single from Sylvester. Steinhart pulled BU even in the fifth with a double to left that scored McGrath. Sylvester came back to the box and won the game in the bottom of the fifth with a single to left that scored Dana for the win.
 
Jack Myers tossed all six innings in game one. He struck out four and walked two. McLinskey (2-0) won while Waldis (1) picked up the save.
 
Game two got off to a rocky start with the Pirates owning a 5-1 lead after four. Steinhart got BU on the scoreboard in the third with single to left score Orn. The game tightened up in the sixth with a two RBI single by McGrath that sent Bennett and Matos home.
 
Dana homered in the seventh to extend the lead, but the Bulldogs would not go away. Jacob Margroff stole second in the eighth and the throw was off allowing Bennett to get around for a run. Margroff advanced to third on the throwing error and made it a one-run game off a wild pitch.
 
Hack doubled in the eighth to add an insurance run and the game would end at 7-5. Probst earned his first save while Burnham picked up the win. Joe Graziano was hit with the loss. He threw 3.2 innings, same as Nick Eaton in relief. Greg Gilbert also touched the rubber for the final two outs.
 
BU and SHU will return to action tomorrow with a 12 PM first pitch.