Kowalski Homers, Softball Drops Doubleheader to Harvard

Wednesday, March 18

Fairfield, CT

2:00 PM

Sacred Heart

7-15

Harvard

7-11-1

Harvard

Sacred Heart

Kowalski Homers, Softball Drops Doubleheader to Harvard

3/18/2026 9:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Kowalski also pitched game one and struck out four batters

By: Josh Smith

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team fell to Harvard in both ends of a nonconference doubleheader on Wednesday evening at Pioneer Park. The Crimson took the first game 4-1 and the second game 11-3.

Team Records:
Sacred Heart (7-16)
Harvard (8-11-1)

Game 1: Harvard 4, SHU 1
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 5-6 record)
Nicolette Hunter (Harvard) – (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts, 4-6 record)

Top Performers:
Sam Kowalski – 3-3

How It Happened:
The Crimson took the lead, 1-0, in the first game in the top of the third inning, plating one on two hits and a hit by pitch.

Sacred Heart answered in the bottom of the fourth inning, tying the score at 1-1. With the bases loaded and two out, an error by the opposing pitched plated a pinch-running Ava Lichtenberger from third base.

Unfortunately for SHU, a three-run top of the fifth gave Harvard a 4-1 lead that eventually turned into the final score.

Sam Kowalski led SHU in the circle and at the plate in the opener. She threw all 7.0 innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out four batters. She also went 3-3 batting.

Game 2: Harvard 11, SHU 3
Pitchers:
Emily Campion (SHU) – (L, 1.1 innings pitched, 6 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 1-1 record)
Emily Heath (SHU) – (5.2 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 5 strikeouts)
Riley Flynn (Harvard) – (7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 12 strikeouts, 3-2 record)

Top Performers:
Sam Kowalski – 1-3, 2 RBIs, 1 run, 1 home run

How It Happened:
The Pioneers started game two off with a bang, going up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. With Elle Leckrone on after a walk, Kowalski blasted a two-run homer to left center field.

Unfortunately for the Pios, Harvard put together a six-run inning in the top of the second to go ahead 6-2. The Crimson's first six batters reached base in the inning, that featured three hits and three walks.

The pitching settled in from there, with Harvard scoring one run in the fourth and SHU adding a run in the sixth. Nicole Henke plated Cierra Bender with a deep double to left field.

The Crimson's offense added four runs in the top of the fourth to set the final score at 11-3.

Emily Campion and Emily Heath split the pitching responsibilities. Campion started but was pulled after a rough second inning. Heath went the final 5.2 innings and struck out five batters.

Notes:

Kowalski hit her fourth home run of the season.
Kowalski is on a six-game hit streak.
Charlene Davis and Kowalski were the lone Pios with hits in both games.
Leckrone ended a five-game hit streak in game two.

Up Next:
SHU heads to Manhattan this weekend for a three-game series. The Pios head to Manhattan on Saturday, March 21, for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.