FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team is set to kick off the 2024 campaign at the Spiro Classic, hosted by UNC Greensboro on Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18, in Greensboro, N.C.

Spiro Classic Game Information 
Game 1: Sacred Heart vs. Ohio – Friday, Feb. 16; 10:00 a.m. | Live Stats
Game 2: Sacred Heart at UNCG – Friday, Feb. 16; 12:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Game 3: Sacred Heart vs. Ohio – Saturday, Feb. 17; 10:00 a.m. | Live Stats
Game 4: Sacred Heart vs. Drexel – Saturday, Feb. 17; 5:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Game 5: TBD – Sunday, Feb. 18
Live stats will be available for all games at sacredheartpioneers.com

A LOOK BACK AT LAST SEASON
The Pioneers finished last season with an 18-29 overall record, a five-game improvement from the season prior. SHU also went 9-12 in NEC play, finishing just two games out of fourth place in the league standings. A home sweep of perennial NEC powerhouse Saint Francis highlighted the Pios' season. Sacred Heart defeated the Red Flash, who had won five consecutive league titles, by a 23-10 margin, with a 5-0 shutout in the finale. SHU also owned a league sweep over Stonehill. The Pioneers tallied non-league wins over Ball State, Bellarmine, Binghamton, Detroit-Mercy, Fairfield, Iona, Gardner-Webb and Yale. 

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024
Sacred Heart brings back a chuck of their core players from last season, including four Pioneers recognized in the NEC's year-end awards. Leading the group is senior Emily Carroll, who was tabbed NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team and First Team All-NEC. Coming back for her second collegiate season is NEC Rookie of the Year Sam Kowalski. The San Clemente, Calif., native led the NEC with 41 strikeouts and posted a 9-12 record with a 3.62 ERA. Victoria LoPinto, the NEC Gold Glove winner, and Nicole Henke, a member of the NEC All-Rookie Team, will also be back for the Pioneers as key contributors in 2024. In addition to SHU's postseason award winners, Jenna Mowad is back for her senior season after playing all 47 games at the hot corner for SHU last year. 

WELCOME TO THE TEAM
In addition to SHU's impressive class of returners, the Pios welcome six first years who have a chance to make an impact in year one. Sacred Heart's incoming class of rookies features Cierra Bender, Jess Brown, Morgan Fitzgerald, Genevieve Gleason, Savannah Moore and Allie Ortiz. 

HEAR FROM COACH
"Since we returned in January this team has hit the ground running," said coach Pam London. "They came back in shape and ready to get after it. We have really great leaders on this squad beginning with our three captains and really filtering through each class. They push each other as fiercely as they support each other. This coaching staff believes in each and every one of them. They are really good people and talented athletes - not to mention - they are a lot of fun to be with!"

TRIO OF CAPTAINS
The Pioneers announced that the trio of Mowad, Carroll and LoPinto will take over captain duties for this season. Mowad and Carroll return as captains in 2024, while LoPinto earns this honor for the first time in her career. 

SCOUTING THE FIELD
The Pioneers will play three teams at the Spiro Classic, starting with Ohio and UNC Greensboro on Friday. SHU will meet Ohio again on Saturday before closing the day against Drexel. 

Ohio
Ohio is off to a 1-4 start to the season after opening the year at the challenging ??FAU Paradise Classic. The Bobcats went 32-23 last season and were the No. 2 seed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament, falling to No. 1 Miami in the championship game. Ohio returns four All-MAC honorees, including First Teamers Annalia Paoli and Yasmine Logan. Reigning MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year Skipp Miller leads the pitching staff. 

UNC Greensboro
Hosting UNCG is also 1-4 to start the year, picking up a win over Jacksonville State at the Carolina Classic. Despite their start to the season, the Spartans should not be discounted, as they owned a 37-22 record in 2023 and won the Southern Conference (SoCon) Championship to go to the NCAA Tournament. The SoCon preseason favorites had five players make SoCon preseason teams, highlighted by First Teamers Brooklynn Maxwell, Maddie Spell and Jorde Chartrand. Maxwell and Chartrand were also First Team All-SoCon recipients last season as an infielder and pitcher. 

Drexel
Drexel has stumbled out of the gates to begin the season, heading into this weekend's tournament 0-5. The Dragons got off to a similar rough start last year, starting 0-6 before posting a 12-37 overall record. Infielder Ameryn Humble and catcher Lindsey Hunt represented Drexel on the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Preseason Watchlist. Humble started 36 games for Drexel in 2023, hitting a team-best .284. Hunt, a transfer from Campbell, was tabbed Second Team All-Big South in 2023 for the Camels. 

UP NEXT
Following their season-opening tournament in North Carolina, Sacred Heart will welcome Fordham for a home doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 12 and 2 p.m. at Pioneer Park.