Game Time Softball

Seton Hall (16-16, 0-4) at USF (27-13, 0-0); St. John’s (19-13, 2-2) at USF

When: Today, 2 p.m and 4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Where: USF Softball Complex

The story: The USF softball team (28-18) will host its first-ever Big East Conference matchup today at 2 p.m. against Seton Hall University (16-16). The contest will be the first game of a doubleheader between the Bulls and the Pirates with Game 2 scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Bulls have won seven of their last nine games and should be well rested after enjoying a four-day break following their defeat of Siena College 8-0 in the consolation game of the Mercer Nissan Invitational Tournament on Sunday. The tournament marked the end of a stretch during which the Bulls had played 24 games in 18 days.

Seton Hall will enter today’s game riding a four-game winning streak but is 0-4 in the Big East thanks to a pair of doubleheader sweeps by Syracuse and Pittsburgh last weekend.

The Pirates will be looking for a strong showing against the Bulls from freshman pitcher Ashley Arnett (6-3). The right-hander is posting a 2.57 ERA and recorded her first career no-hitter in a 9-0 win over LeSalle on Tuesday.

Keep an eye on: Seton Hall shortstop Katie Pierce. The Pirates senior is leading her team in nearly every offensive category this season including batting average (.389), runs (26), hits (37), home runs (5) and RBI (29). Pierce is an asset on defense as well, compiling a team-high 56 assists and a .935 fielding percentage.

– Eric Moeller