This is part of Hall Pass’ all-access series on the Seton Hall vs Monmouth baseball game.
As a group with seven seniors, there is a strong veteran presence on the 2018 Seton Hall baseball team. Supplemented with a large freshmen class, the Pirates have started the season with a 14-13-1 record, including 2-1 in the Big East after taking the weekend series with Xavier. Contributions are coming from around the diamond, and one player that stands out is veteran catcher Mike Alescio.
Starting all 27 games this season, the senior catcher has hit for a .318 average, including 28 hits and 20 runs scored. He has also recorded 11 RBI and two home runs, which is a career-best just halfway through the year.
While his primary position comes behind the plate, Alescio also spends some time in the outfield, giving him the versatility to have his potent bat in the lineup each game. As the clean-up hitter, consistency is helpful especially in doubleheaders, just as the Pirates showed on April 14 against Big East rival Xavier. After catching the first game, Alescio moved out to right field and had a 3-for-4 day with a home run and two RBI in the second game.
Alescio’s strong season is a continuation of the power he has showed throughout his collegiate career. In his sophomore year, Alescio was named to the Johnny Bench Watchlist, which is awarded to the nation’s top catcher each year. He received the recognition after hitting .310, driving in 27 runs and catching Shane McCarthy’s perfect game. Alescio also had a career high in triples (4), hits (49) and slugging percentage (.418) that season.
With half of Alescio’s final Pirate season in the books, his team will need him to continue his strong play both offensively and defensively as the Pirates attempt to make the Big East Championship. With the rest of the seniors following his lead and the young players learning by example, Alescio and the Pirates are prepped to take on Monmouth in a mid-week matchup on April 18.
David King can be reached at david.king@student.shu.edu or on Twitter @D_King_13.