Softball Hosts Fairfield, Hartford This Week
3/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 31, 2008
Setting the Scene... The Pioneer softball squad is set to host pair of non-league contests this week. SHU will host Fairfield in a single games Tuesday at 3:30 pm and then welcome Hartford for a doubleheader at 3:00 pm on Wednesday. Tuesday's game against Fairfield will be broadcast on the Pioneer Radio Network on SacredHeartPioneers.com.
Early NEC Play... The Pioneers got off to a 3-1 start in NEC play by sweeping a pair from the Mount Saturday and then splitting a doubleheader with Monmouth on Sunday. SHU's offense exploded for a season high seven runs in Saturday's first game. Betsy Harvey and Jessica Perez each had two RBIs. Megan Spehar struck out nine batters, one shy of her season high, to earn the win. Freshman Jen Russell turned her two best outings of the season.
Scouting the Stags... Fairfield starts the week with a 6-16-1 record after a loss and a tie last Thursday against Providence. The Stags offense features three hitters batting over .300. Kristina Lingo leads the way with an average of .365 while Julia Jacoby is hitting .338 with a team high 16 runs scored. Kristie Trifiolis is hitting .276 with a team high 12 RBI. On the mound, Kellie Panter and Sarah Minice are the top two pitchers for the Stags with the wins apiece.
Scouting the Hawks... The Hawks from Hartford are off to good start in 2008, going 11-5 in non-league play despite being swept by UMBC in their opening America East series over the weekend. A heavy hitting Hawk offense is lead by Rachel Clonick who is hitting .383. Amanda Sais is hitting .354 with a team leading 12 RBI, followed by Kristen Cericola with a .313 average and 10 RBI. Brittney Stratton has a team leading seven wins from the circle with a 2.29 ERA. Amanda Singer has an impressive 0.95 ERA and four wins.
Last Meeting vs Fairfield... Freshman Taylor Froelich had two hits and three RBI as Sacred Heart earned a 5-3 win over Fairfield in early March at the Rebel Games.
Last Meeting 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, in softball action Thursday at Pioneer Park.
Rookies Key... Freshmen Taylor Froelich and Courtney Lee have made immediate impacts in their first month as Pioneers. Froelich has stepped in and become the centerfielder and lead-off hitter for the Pioneers. Meanwhile Lee has been the best hitter, batting .404 with eight RBI and 11 runs scored. Lee was named the NEC Player of the Week for March 10.
New Face on the Mound... Thirteen new faces appear on the Pioneers roster this spring. The group is made up of 11 freshmen. Among the highly-touted recruits is new pitcher Jen Russell. A Seymour, CT native Russell helped lead St. Joseph's High School to a Connecticut High School Championship, earning MVP honors along the way. Russell was named the NEC Pitcher of the Week for March 31 after turning in two wins and 15 strikeouts in two starts in the first weekend of league play.
Up Next... SHU returns to NEC play when they visit CCSU and Quinnipiac this weekend. The Pioneers will take on the Bobcats on Saturday and then visit the Blue Devils on Sunday in New Britain.
