Softball Begins Capitol City Classic with Setback against Nevada

Friday, February 27

Davis, CA

3:00 PM (ET) / 12:00 PM (PT)

Sacred Heart

1-5

Nevada

9-7

Sacred Heart

Nevada

Photo by: Josh Gee

Softball Begins Capitol City Classic with Setback against Nevada

2/27/2026 5:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Kowalski hit her second home run of the season

By: Josh Smith

DAVIS, Calif. – Sam Kowalski recorded a solid effort in the circle and hit her second homer of the season as the Sacred Heart University softball team opened the Capitol City Classic with a 5-1 setback against Nevada on Friday afternoon at UC Davis' campus in Davis, Calif.

Team Records:
Sacred Heart (1-5)
Nevada (9-7)

Nevada 5, SHU 1
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, 1-3 record)
Ainsley Berlingeri (NEV) - (W, 6.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 6 strikeouts, 3-1 record)
Hailey McLean (NEV) - (1.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts)

Top Performers:
Sam Kowalski – 2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Savannah Moore – 2-2, 2 doubles

How It Happened:
The Pioneers opened the game with the first hit of the afternoon, a single by Kowalski in the top of the first. The Wolf Pack did not get their first hit until the third inning, as the game went through 4.5 innings without a run. Elle Leckrone and Savannah Moore both had doubles for the Pios in the first 4.5 frames, but Nevada worked out of both jams to keep the score at 0-0.

The Wolf Pack broke through in the home half of the fifth inning, seizing a 1-0 lead after a Lexi O'Gorman triple.

SHU responded in the next half inning, as Kowalski blasted a two-out solo home run to tie it at 1-1 after 5.5 innings.

Unfortunately for the Pioneers, a four-run bottom of the sixth gave the Wolf Pack the lead back, 5-1.

Sacred Heart threatened in the seventh, bringing the tying run to the plate with just one out. The Pios loaded the bases with a single, a double and a walk, but Nevada turned two quick outs to clinch the win.

Kowalski turned in another strong performance in the circle against a tough Nevada lineup, yielding five runs over 6.0 innings and striking out three.

Notes:

Kowalski's second home run this season sets a new career high.
Kowalski now has three homers in her career.
Moore tallied her first career game with 2+ doubles.
Alexa Barbera extended her hit streak to five games and leads the team with a .412 batting average.

Up Next:
The Pioneers continue the Capital City Classic tomorrow with two games at Sacramento State. SHU will play San Jose State first at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by the host Hornets at 5:30 p.m. ET.