April 2, 2007

Setting the Scene... The Pioneers travel upstate to face Connecticut rival Hartford in non-conference doubleheader action Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 pm. SHU split a twinbill with Robert Morris in the NEC opener Saturday in Pittsburgh. Hartford swept a pair of games again Sacred Heart last year in Fairfield.

Pioneers Split Pair in PA... The Pioneers split a pair of doubleheaders,winning nightcaps at Seton Hall and Robert Morris. Junior Megan Spehar tossed two complete games, allowing only two earned runs and striking out nine in the SHU victories. Sophomores Betsy Harvey and Amanda Bradley powered the offense, combining for eight RBI and five runs scored on the week. SHU was rained out Sunday afternoon in Loretto against Saint Francis (PA).

Last Year vs Hartford... Defense plagued Sacred Heart all day as the Pioneers made six errors in two games and Hartford scored seven runs in each game to complete a doubleheader sweep, 7-3 and 7-6, last year at Pioneer Park.

Spehar in the Circle... The Pioneers ace is picther is junior Megan Spehar. The righthander, who is also a good offensive player, is 5-4 on the season in eight starts, pitching 59.2 innings. She is averaging almost one strikeout per inning. Last year she posted a team leading six wins from the circle last year, posting a 3.56 ERA. She threw a 93.2 innings, the most of any Pioneer hurler, allowing just 37 hits while striking-out a team leading 87 batters while walking just 35. At the plate, Spehar drove in 10 runs and had 12 doubles.

Super Sophs... In addition to their seniors, the Pioneer line-up will be anchored by a pair of sophomores who made an immediate impact in their rookie seasons, Amanda Bradley and Betsy Harvey . The Pioneer second baseman, Harvey is tied for the team lead in hitting, with a .288 mark. She and Bradley each have seven RBI on the season, second on the team

Scouting the Hawks... Hartford starts the week at 11-12 overall, having won two out of three against Binghamton in their America East opener over the weekend. Kristie Rochette is the top hitter for the Hawks, with a .304 average and 10 RBI on the year. Nikki Thompson has driven in a team hgih 12 runs on the season. On the mound, Brittany Stratton and Nicole McMillon each have ERA's under 2.00 for the season. Stratton has posted a team leading seven wins.

Up Next... The Pioneers open their home schedule this weekend. SHU will host NEC rivals Wagner and LIU Friday at 2:00 pm and Saturday at 1:00 pm, respectively, on opening weekend at Pioneer Park.