Softball Continues NEC Playoff Quest Against RMU, SFPA
4/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 25, 2008
Setting the Scene... The Pioneer softball squad will attempt to qualify for the NEC playoffs for the first time when they host Robert Morris and Saint Francis (PA) in the final weekend of the NEC regular season. SHU, which sits at 8-6 in the league starting play, will host RMU Saturday at 1:00 pm and entertain the Red Flash Sunday at 12:00 pm on Senior Day.
SHU Splits With the Hall... Senior Melissa Mezzanotte hit a game-tying two-run homerun in the bottom of the seventh and later scored the game wininng run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning to give Sacred Heart a 5-4 win over Seton Hall in game one of a softball doubleheader Thursday at Pioneer Park. The Pirates won game two by a score of 6-5.
Scouting the Colonials... A powerful Colonial offense is led by freshman Jessica Calderone who is hitting .405 on the season, the fourth best average in the league. Meanwhile, senior Brenna Reed has been the best all-around Colonial, posting a .320 average with 26 RBI, good for fifth in the NEC in that catgeory. Reed also has a staff best 3.85 ERA, although Lindsey Moates has a team high 12 wins out of the circle.
Last Meeting vs Robert Morris... Sacred Heart and Robert Morris split their twinbill in Moon Township last season. The Colonials won the first game, 14-0, and the Pioneers won the second tilt by an identical 14-0 score.
Scouting the Red Flash... The Red Flash of Saint Francis start the final weekend of NEC play in fourth place with a 7-5 record. Nicole Bender leads the Red Flash offense with a .323 batting average and 7 home runs. Kara Stroup has eight homeruns and 31 RBI, good for third in the league. Nicole Waligoria is an excellent contact hitter, connecting for a .319 batting average on the season. Kellie Silingwine is second on the team with 25 RBI and a .293 batting average.
Last Meeting vs Saint Francis... Jacqui Riley and Amanda Bradley each had ninth-inning game winning hits and Megan Spehar struck out 14 batters in a complete game win as Sacred Heart swept Saint Francis, 3-2 and 6-4, in an NEC doubleheader last year in Loretto.
Spehar in the Circle... The Pioneers are anchored by ace pitcher Megan Spehar who has been SHU's best all-around player the last two years. The right-hander, who is also a good offensive player, has turned in seven wins and has a 2.88 ERA, good for fourth in the NEC in that category. Spehar is now second in school history with 406 career strikeouts. At the bat, Spehar leads the team in runs scored with 19.
Senior Swinger... The other senior captain for the Pioneers is shortstop Melissa Mezzanotte. After getting off to a slow start with the bat, Mezzanotte has come on as of late, and has a hit in 15 of her last 18 games. The senior has had a big week, bashing three home runs this week, including the game winner against Siena and game-tying homerun in the first game against Seton Hall. Mezzanotte leads the team in RBI (20) and hits (36).
Up Next... The Pioneers close out the regular season with non-league doubleheader at Iona and against Stony Brook on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
