FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team hits the road for the first time in Northeast Conference play this season on Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 1-2, for an away series at Stonehill in North Easton, Mass. Due to rain in the forecast over the weekend, the Pios and Skyhawks will play one game on Saturday at 2 p.m. and a doubleheader on Sunday starting at noon.

SHU VS. STONEHILL GAME INFORMATION 
Game 1: Sacred Heart at Stonehill – Saturday, April 1; 3:00 p.m. Video | Live Stats
Game 2: Sacred Heart at Stonehill – Sunday, April 2; 12:00 p.m. Video | Live Stats
Game 3: Sacred Heart at Stonehill – Sunday, April 2; 2:00 p.m. Video | Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
The Pioneers dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Siena in non-conference play on Wednesday. The Saints took the first game 2-0 before winning game two 3-0. Despite suffering a pair of losses, SHU's pitching staff represented itself well. In the opener, first year Emily Heath gave up just two earned runs over 5.0 innings with four strikeouts, while senior Carlie Williams allowed one baserunner over her 2.0 innings of relief. The strongest outing of the doubleheader may have come from senior Liv Vadas, who was perfect through the first 5.0 innings of game two. A strong sixth by Siena dashed Vadas' hopes of a historic day, but she bounced back to allow just one baserunner in the seventh. 

HITTING HER STRIDE 
One of the most consistent hitters for the Pioneers over the past two weeks has been Carly Koltko. The sophomore infielder and pitcher has tallied a hit in seven straight appearances and has 10 hits, two doubles, and one RBI over that stretch. Koltko has also been an asset defensively, tallying a team-best 40 putouts while playing first base. In addition to being on a career-best seven-game hit streak, Koltko also posted her first three-hit performance against FDU on March 26. 

SCOUTING STONEHILL
The Skyhawks have struggled through the first 23 games of the season, as they have one win heading into this weekend's series. Stonehill has lost its last five games, three of which came against NEC foe Wagner. After the Wagner series, the Skyhawks dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Holy Cross at home on Wednesday. Stonehill owns a .137 batting average as a team, while its opponents are hitting at a .375 clip. Natalie Bottiglieri leads the way for the Skyhawks' offense, batting a team-best .200 with two runs, five RBI, a double, and a home run. Skylar Brandemarte earned the team's lone win in the circle and paces the staff with a 5.68 ERA and 39 strikeouts.

UP NEXT
Following the Stonehill series, the Pios will play three games at Central Connecticut State on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 7-8. The opening game of the series is slated to start at 1 p.m. on Friday.