FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team is set for its second tournament of the season as the Pioneers head to Boiling Springs, N.C., for the Red and Black Softball Tournament, hosted by Gardner-Webb University on March 3-5. 

Red and Black Softball Tournament Game Information 
Game 1: Sacred Heart at Gardner-Webb – Friday, Mar. 3; 12:00 p.m.
Game 2: Sacred Heart vs. Detroit Mercy – Saturday, Mar. 4; 1:00 p.m.
Game 3: Sacred Heart vs. Chattanooga – Saturday, Mar. 4; 7:00 p.m.
Game 4: Sacred Heart vs. Harvard – Sunday, Mar. 5; 11:00 a.m.
Game 5: Sacred Heart at Gardner-Webb – Sunday, Mar. 5; 5:00 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
The Pios opened the 2023 season with a 2-3 record at the Furman Invitational in Greenville, S.C. SHU started the week with a 9-4 victory against Bellarmine University, scoring four runs in the first inning and five in the fifth. Jenna Mowad led all players with three hits, while starting pitcher Sam Kowalski recorded three RBI and earned her first collegiate win in the circle. Kowalski then led the Pioneers to a 2-0 shutout victory over Binghamton University by throwing 7.0 innings of scoreless ball. Mowad was again crucial to the SHU offense, hitting a solo homer that the Bearcats couldn't match. 

INSTANT IMPRESSION
It didn't take Kowalski long in her collegiate career to get her name out there. The San Clemente, Calif., native needed just three appearances to earn Northeast Conference Co-Rookie of the Week honors. She finished the Furman Invitational with a 2-0 record, a 2.57 ERA, and nine strikeouts. Kowalski was the first Pioneer to earn NEC Rookie of the Week accolades since Emily Carroll did so in May 2021. 

STUDYING THE FIELD
Gardner-Webb (5-12 Overall)
The host Runnin' Bulldogs have played the most games by far of any of the participants in this weekend's tournament, as they enter Friday with a 5-12 overall record. Gardner-Webb opened the year with two straight wins before dropping 10 of its next 11 contests. On Wednesday, the Runnin' Bulldogs fell in both ends of a road doubleheader to No. 4 nationally-ranked Clemson University in road non-conference play. Senior pitcher and infielder Andrea Lyon has been fantastic for GWU, as she paces the team with a .477 batting average, 21 hits, 22 RBI, six home runs, and five doubles. She also leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with a 4.33 ERA and 29 strikeouts. 

Detroit Mercy (0-5 Overall)
The University of Detroit Mercy has struggled to find wins over the last two seasons, finishing last year with a 6-36 overall record and starting 2023 winless in its first five games. However, the Titans' 0-5 five start is a little deceptive, as four of their setbacks have come by one or two runs. Detroit Mercy is led early on by its pitching staff, as it has three pitchers with sub-two ERAs.  

Chattanooga (5-4 Overall)
The Mocs enter this weekend's tournament with a 5-4 overall record after dropping two and winning one at the Frost Classic. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga opened the tournament last weekend with an 11-9 win over Eastern Illinois before losing back-to-back against UNLV and Akron. The Mocs have played all competitive contests to start the season, with none of their wins or losses coming by more than three runs. Junior outfielder Adison Keylon has been the team's most potent hitter through the first nine games, as she paces the team with four homers to go along with six runs and six RBI.  

Harvard (3-2 Overall)
Harvard University opened the season this past weekend by going 3-2 at the Winthrop Garnet & Gold Tournament. The Crimson won the middle three games of the event, knocking off Fordham, Winthrop, and North Carolina Central in between setbacks to the host Eagles and LIU. Senior catcher Allison Heffley batted third in every game for Harvard at the tournament, maintaining a team-best .556 batting average with five runs, three RBI, three doubles, and a home run. 

UP NEXT 
After leaving North Carolina, SHU heads to Lynchburg, Va., for the Flames Classic, hosted by Liberty University on March 9-11. The Pios are slated to play Liberty, Ball State University, the University of Maryland, and Fairfield University at the event.