FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team took both ends of its home doubleheader against Le Moyne Saturday, clinching an appearance in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship in the process. The Pioneers won the opener 2-0 before taking game two 4-1.
Prior to game one this afternoon, the Pioneers celebrated Senior Day. SHU honored
Emily Carroll,
Sydni Carroll,
Kiley Gurysh,
Rachael Kohler,
Victoria LoPinto,
Julie Moresco,
Jenna Mowad and
Jenna Pfister.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (25-25,16-7 NEC)
Le Moyne (14-33, 5-12 NEC)
Game 1: SHU 2, Le Moyne 0
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 11 strikeouts, 14-11 record)
Laura Bennett (LEM) – (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts, 8-18 record)
Top Performers:
Carly Koltko (SHU) – 1-2, 1 RBI
Nicole Henke (SHU) – 1-3, 1 RBI
Of Note:
The Pioneers scored a run in the top of the first inning to storm out to a 1-0 lead. After
Victoria LoPinto reached on an error, a sac bunt moved her over to second.
Carly Koltko then plated LoPinto with a single to left field.
SHU doubled its lead in the fourth behind a trio of singles. With the bases loaded and one out,
Nicole Henke brought in SHU's second run with a single to center field.
Sam Kowalski made the most of her two-run lead in the circle by keeping the Dolphins off the scoreboard. The sophomore hurler spread three hits over 7.0 innings, striking out 11 batters for her 14th win of the season.
Game 2: SHU 4, Le Moyne 1
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) – (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 11-10 record)
Arianna Exarchakis (LEM) – (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 4-12 record)
Top Performers:
Victoria LoPinto (SHU) – 1-2, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 home run
Jenna Mowad (SHU) – 1-2, 1 run
Of Note:
Le Moyne kicked off game two with an early 1-0 lead following the first.
SHU bounced back in the third, tying the game at 1-1. With the bases loaded after a walk and two singles, Koltko put the Pios on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
The Pioneers broke the game open in the next inning, scoring three runs to build a 4-1 advantage. With two on and two outs, LoPinto blasted her seventh home run of the season to left center. LoPinto is now tied with Koltko for the team lead in homers with seven.
Just like in game one, SHU's starting pitcher held the Dolphins' offense at bay for much of the contest.
Emily Heath tallied her 11th victory of the season with a complete-game effort. She allowed just three hits and one first-inning run with one strikeout.
Up Next:
The Pioneers conclude the home portion of its schedule tomorrow afternoon with a noon bout against Le Moyne at Pioneer Park.
