Saturday, February 28
Sacramento, CA
12:30 PM (ET) / 9:30 AM (PT)
Sacred Heart
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San Jose State
5-12
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San Jose State
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Sacred Heart
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Photo by: Bob Solorio
Softball Earns Split on Day Two of Capital City Classic
2/28/2026 8:34:00 PM | Softball
Leckrone had five RBIs and a grand slam in the opening win
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacred Heart University softball team split the action on day two of the Capital City Classic on Saturday, defeating San Jose State, 8-4, in the opener before falling in the second game by a 3-2 final score.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (2-6)
San Jose State (5-12)
Sacramento State (16-3)
Game 1: SHU 8, SJSU 4
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (W, 5.1 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 1-2 record)
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (1.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts)
Emily Campion (SHU) - (0.2 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Jordyn Fray (SJSU) - (L, 2.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 0-2 record)
Bella Rodriguez (SJSU) - (0.2 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Ava Conti (SJSU) - (1.1 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 2 strikeouts)
Delaney Faus (SJSU) - (2.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Top Performers:
Elle Leckrone – 4-4, 5 RBIs, 1 run, 1 home run
Sam Kowalski – 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 home run
How It Happened:
Following a scoreless opening inning, SHU struck first in the bottom of the second on an Elle Leckrone RBI single through the right side of the infield.
SHU blew the doors off the game in the bottom of the third, hanging six on the scoreboard to build a commanding 7-0 advantage. The frame started with a single and a double for the Pioneers before Alexa Barbera recorded a double of her own to left field to plate two runners.
Sacred Heart then sandwiched a pair of walks around two outs, loading the bases for Leckrone. The sophomore from the Southern California answered the bell by firing a grand slam to left center field.
The Pios added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Sam Kowalski led off the half inning with a solo homer to left. Kowalski has homered in back-to-back games and has three long balls this season.
SHU looked primed to take the opener in five innings, leading 8-0 in the top of the fifth, but the Spartans showed fight, scoring three in the inning to extend the game. SJSU added another in the top of the sixth, but would not get any closer, as the Pioneers went on to secure an 8-4 victory.
In the circle, Emily Heath picked up her first win of the season by going 5.1 and allowing two earned runs. Kowalski and Emily Campion made relief appearances, throwing 1.0 and 0.2 innings, respectively.
At the plate, Leckrone finished the game 4-for-4 with five RBIs, one run and her second home run of the season.
Game 2: Sacramento State 3, SHU 2
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 1-4 record)
Alexa Ortiz (SAC) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, 5-2 record)
Top Performers:
Kira Palmer – 2-3, 1 RBIs
Charlene Davis – 1-3, 1 run
How It Happened:
For the second straight game, the Pioneers got on the scoreboard first, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. A single and two walks loaded the bases, but two outs followed, putting the pressure on first year Kira Palmer. The Calabasas, Calif., native answered with a two-RBI single to left center, plating Charlene Davis and Barbara.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the second stood as their lone scoring frame in the game. Sacramento State answered with two in the bottom of the second to tie the score at 2-2.
The pitchers took over after that inning, as just one more run was scored for the remainder of the game. It was the Hornets that broke the tie, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-2 advantage.
Katherine Burras worked a leadoff walk in the seventh, but SHU could not bring her home, as the Hornets secured a 3-2 win.
Kowalski pitched all 6.0 innings for the Pioneers, striking out six while allowing the three earned runs.
Notes:
Up Next:
The Pioneers conclude play at the Capital City Classic tomorrow with games against Santa Clara (12:30 p.m. ET) and UC Davis (5:30 p.m. ET) in Davis, Calif.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (2-6)
San Jose State (5-12)
Sacramento State (16-3)
Game 1: SHU 8, SJSU 4
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (W, 5.1 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 1-2 record)
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (1.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts)
Emily Campion (SHU) - (0.2 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Jordyn Fray (SJSU) - (L, 2.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 0-2 record)
Bella Rodriguez (SJSU) - (0.2 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Ava Conti (SJSU) - (1.1 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 2 strikeouts)
Delaney Faus (SJSU) - (2.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Top Performers:
Elle Leckrone – 4-4, 5 RBIs, 1 run, 1 home run
Sam Kowalski – 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 home run
How It Happened:
Following a scoreless opening inning, SHU struck first in the bottom of the second on an Elle Leckrone RBI single through the right side of the infield.
SHU blew the doors off the game in the bottom of the third, hanging six on the scoreboard to build a commanding 7-0 advantage. The frame started with a single and a double for the Pioneers before Alexa Barbera recorded a double of her own to left field to plate two runners.
Sacred Heart then sandwiched a pair of walks around two outs, loading the bases for Leckrone. The sophomore from the Southern California answered the bell by firing a grand slam to left center field.
The Pios added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Sam Kowalski led off the half inning with a solo homer to left. Kowalski has homered in back-to-back games and has three long balls this season.
SHU looked primed to take the opener in five innings, leading 8-0 in the top of the fifth, but the Spartans showed fight, scoring three in the inning to extend the game. SJSU added another in the top of the sixth, but would not get any closer, as the Pioneers went on to secure an 8-4 victory.
In the circle, Emily Heath picked up her first win of the season by going 5.1 and allowing two earned runs. Kowalski and Emily Campion made relief appearances, throwing 1.0 and 0.2 innings, respectively.
At the plate, Leckrone finished the game 4-for-4 with five RBIs, one run and her second home run of the season.
Game 2: Sacramento State 3, SHU 2
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 1-4 record)
Alexa Ortiz (SAC) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, 5-2 record)
Top Performers:
Kira Palmer – 2-3, 1 RBIs
Charlene Davis – 1-3, 1 run
How It Happened:
For the second straight game, the Pioneers got on the scoreboard first, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. A single and two walks loaded the bases, but two outs followed, putting the pressure on first year Kira Palmer. The Calabasas, Calif., native answered with a two-RBI single to left center, plating Charlene Davis and Barbara.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the second stood as their lone scoring frame in the game. Sacramento State answered with two in the bottom of the second to tie the score at 2-2.
The pitchers took over after that inning, as just one more run was scored for the remainder of the game. It was the Hornets that broke the tie, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-2 advantage.
Katherine Burras worked a leadoff walk in the seventh, but SHU could not bring her home, as the Hornets secured a 3-2 win.
Kowalski pitched all 6.0 innings for the Pioneers, striking out six while allowing the three earned runs.
Notes:
- Leckrone set a new career high in game one with five RBIs, becoming the first Pios to have 5+ RBIs in a game since Nicole Henke, who had six twice last season.
- Leckrone is also the first Pio to hit a grand slam since Henke did so on April 29 of last year.
- Kowalski continues to add to her career-high home run total with three already this season.
- Kowalski has homers in back-to-back games.
- Barbara saw her six-game hit streak come to a close in game two, but she did score a run after earning a walk.
- Palmer tallied her first two collegiate hits.
Up Next:
The Pioneers conclude play at the Capital City Classic tomorrow with games against Santa Clara (12:30 p.m. ET) and UC Davis (5:30 p.m. ET) in Davis, Calif.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Heath, Emily (1-2)
L: FRAY, Jordyn (0-2)
Batting:
2B: LIM, Kaylani 1
RBI: NORIEGA, Ahmiya 1 ; ZERMENO, Reina 1 ; SHERLIN, Leata 1 ; CHILLINGWORTH, Taylo 1
SF: ZERMENO, Reina 1
Base Running:
RUNS: NORIEGA, Ahmiya 1 ; BURDICK, Sophia 1 ; KULAK, Samantha 1 ; CHILLINGWORTH, Taylo 1
CS: NORIEGA, Ahmiya 1
HBP: SANDOVAL, Isabella 1
Batting:
2B: Davis, Charlene 1 ; Barbera, Alexa 1
HR: Leckrone, Elle 1 ; Kowalski, Sam 1
RBI: Leckrone, Elle 5 ; Kowalski, Sam 1 ; Barbera, Alexa 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Leckrone, Elle 1 ; Kowalski, Sam 1 ; Lichtenberger, Ava 1 ; Aiello, Natalie 1 ; Barbera, Alexa 1 ; Moore, Savannah 1 ; Henke, Nicole 1 ; Brown, Jess 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
4
RBI
5
dp/p
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
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RBI
2
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballP/INF
/ SoftballP/UTL
/ Softball
UTL
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