Softball Releases 2020 Schedule
1/7/2020 12:00:00 AM | Softball
FAIRFIELD, Conn.- Sacred Heart University head softball coach Pam London announced the 2020 Pioneers softball schedule. SHU will host 20 home games at Pioneer Park on the Sacred Heart University campus, as part of the 56-game slate.
"I feel the beginning of the season tourneys we have put together will both challenge and prepare us for the rest of our season. Our first weekend back from traveling in the south we will host our own tourney for the first time. We have two great teams coming in that weekend in Iona and UMASS Lowell. During our weekday games we will be playing many of our familiar area opponents, that over the years have become very competitive rivalries, such as Ffld U, Manhattan, Yale and U of Hartf. Our weekends will be full of intensity as we tackle our NEC opponents." Head coach Pam London stated on the upcoming schedule.
London added that the team is returning has some big shoes to fill. "It's not a secret that we have some big spots to fill this year! The good news is that we believe we have the personnel to fill those spots. There are a number of upperclassmen that have been improving and learning as they've been waiting for their opportunity to contribute in a big way for SHU Softball. They have trained and worked hard and now some of them will get their well deserved time on the field. Colleen and Shyanne will get their shot at the top of the rotation and Kira will get her opportunity to play shortstop this season. Offensively the lineup will look a little different, but it still has the potential to put runs on the board!"
Overall, the group is excited to get back on field for the 2020 season London concluded with "in reality every player on our team really has the potential to contribute to the success of this season. This team is very close and they really do play for each other. I believe we will be right in the thick of things in our very competitive NEC Conference. Our league is full of parity and every league weekend is a fight to the end, which makes for some very exciting softball!"
The Tourney's
- The Pioneers open the season at the Pirate Classic Tourney hosted by Hampton University beginning February 21 where they will face Radford, Norfolk State, Toledo, Youngstown State and host Hampton. The five game-tournament runs from Feb. 21-23.
- Five days later, SHU will travel down to Madeira Beach, FL to compete in the Spring Games where they kick off the four-game tournament against University of the Incarnate Word, Seton Hall, Houston Baptist and St. Bonaventure. The Tournament runs from Feb. 28- March 1.
- The Pioneers will take a quick break from tournament play on March 3 when the travel to nearby Daytona Beach, FL to take on Bethune Cookman for a double-header beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- SHU's next tournament play begins on March 6 and runs to March 8 at the Stetson University Tourney in DeLand, FL where they will face Stetson, Fairfield, and Northern Kentucky.
- The Pioneers final tournament takes place at East Carolina University on March 13 when the Pioneers face ECU, Rutgers, and La Salle. The tournament ends on March 15.
Home Games
- The home opener comes March 21 when the SHU welcomes Iona and UMass Lowell. The first game against Iona begins at 11:00 a.m. followed by the UMass Lowell game at 3:00 p.m.
- The two teams will play again the following day at the same times.
- The Pioneers host five straight home-series after that beginning with BIG EAST Conference opponent Providence on March 24 at 2:00 p.m.
- Four days later, the Pioneers kick off Northeast Conference play against Robert Morris on March 28 for a double-header beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- The following day March 29, SHU hosts Saint Francis U at 12:00 p.m.
- SHU will then host local rival Fairfield to wrap up March as SHU takes on the Stags for a single game at 3:30 p.m. on March 31.
- The Pioneers conclude the five series home stretch against Siena on April 2 at 3:00 p.m.
- SHU will then host four more home series first against Fairleigh Dickinson on April 11 followed by Yale on April 15 then Merrimack on April 18 and lastly Bryant the following day on April 19.
The Road Games
- SHU has a light road schedule outside of tournaments as the Pioneers will compete in eight road series this season.
- The Pioneers first road match will take place on Saturday, April 4 when SHU travels to face NEC rival Central Connecticut State for a double-header beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- On the following day, the Pioneers will head to LIU which was the one seed in last year's NEC Tournament for a double-header which kicks off at 12:00 p.m.
- Just three days later, SHU travels again to take on in-state rival Quinnipiac on Wednesday April 8 for a single game at 3:30 p.m.
- SHU then returns to NEC play on April 10 when the Pioneer head to Emmitsburg, MD to face NEC Tournament member Mount St. Mary's at 1:00 p.m.
- The Pioneers will head local rival Fairfield on April 16 for a single game before heading to fellow MAAC member Manhattan on April 23.
- SHU wraps up its away games at Wagner on April 25 followed by a single game at Hartford April 29 to conclude the regular season.
