Saturday, March 7
Fairfield, CT
1:00 PM
Sacred Heart
vs
Siena
Photo by: Ella Radtke
Softball Set for Home Opener against Siena
3/6/2026 11:21:00 AM | Softball
SHU welcomes the Saints for three games over Saturday and Sunday
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team begins home and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Saturday, March 7, with a home doubleheader against Siena at Pioneer Park. The first game of the twin bill is slated for 1 p.m., while the weekend series will end on Sunday with a noon contest.
GAME INFORMATION
Game 1: Sacred Heart vs. Siena – Saturday, March 7; 1:00 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 2: Sacred Heart vs. Siena – Saturday, March 7; 3:00 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 3: Sacred Heart vs. Siena – Sunday, March 8; 12:00 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats
ON THE CUSP
A staple of the Pioneers' early-season results has been close contests. SHU has already played in six one- or two-run games this year. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, they have only won one of those contests, the season-opening 3-1 win over Akron that was highlighted by a Sam Kowalski walk-off home run. If the Pioneers are able to turn some of those close games in their favor, the season has the chance to turn around quickly.
COLLEGIATE FIRSTS
The Pioneers saw a handful of players record collegiate firsts in California. First year Kira Palmer made the most of her return to the Golden State, tallying her first two career hits against Sacramento State, before getting hits against Santa Clara and Saint Mary's for a three-game hit streak. Fellow first years Teagan Dwyer and Ella Stoops collected their first collegiate RBIs in the doubleheader against the Gaels.
CALIFORNIA KIDS
The Pioneers saw outstanding performances from Cali natives Elle Leckrone and Kowalski while they were out west. Leckrone, a La Cañada native, hit .423 (11-for-26) as the team's leadoff hitter, with five RBIs, two runs, a double and a home run. Leckrone had all five RBIs after hitting a grand slam in SHU's win over San Jose State. Kowalski went 9-for-23 for a .391. The San Clemente native had three RBIs, three runs and a team-best two home runs over the seven games.
SCOUTING SIENA
Siena heads into the weekend with a 4-6 overall record, last going 2-3 at the Make it happen games in Madeira Beach, Fla. In those five games, the Saints were outscored 23–14, but they did pick up wins over Colgate and Bowling Green.
Siena's offense this season has revolved around Emma Peterson, Chloe Cummings, and Gracie Goeway. Peterson, who was just named the MAAC Player of the Week, is batting .459 through 10 games. She has three home runs and three doubles, as she leads the team with 11 RBIs. Cummings is batting .419 with three doubles and nine RBIs, while Goeway is hitting .353 with four RBIs and a double. Sophomore pitcher Violet Marta leads the Saints' pitching staff this season. She has four wins and a 1.82 ERA, with three complete games.
The Saints come into their MAAC opener with high expectations after being picked third in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Peterson and Goeway both made the Preseason All-MAAC team.
SERIES HISTORY
The long-standing matchup between the Pioneers and the Saints includes 40 previous meetings, giving both teams significant familiarity with each other. Currently, the Saints have a 25–14-1 advantage in the all-time series. Notably, Siena has won nine of the last 10 games between the programs. However, home field has favored SHU, as the Pioneers hold a 7–6 record against Siena at Pioneer Park since 2007, including their most recent 3-2 win at home on March 21, 2024.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Pioneers made a change to their schedule, as they are now hosting Hofstra on Wednesday, March 11, instead of heading to Long Island for a doubleheader. The first game of the twin bill between the Pioneers and Pride is slated to start at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Park.
GAME INFORMATION
Game 1: Sacred Heart vs. Siena – Saturday, March 7; 1:00 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 2: Sacred Heart vs. Siena – Saturday, March 7; 3:00 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 3: Sacred Heart vs. Siena – Sunday, March 8; 12:00 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats
ON THE CUSP
A staple of the Pioneers' early-season results has been close contests. SHU has already played in six one- or two-run games this year. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, they have only won one of those contests, the season-opening 3-1 win over Akron that was highlighted by a Sam Kowalski walk-off home run. If the Pioneers are able to turn some of those close games in their favor, the season has the chance to turn around quickly.
COLLEGIATE FIRSTS
The Pioneers saw a handful of players record collegiate firsts in California. First year Kira Palmer made the most of her return to the Golden State, tallying her first two career hits against Sacramento State, before getting hits against Santa Clara and Saint Mary's for a three-game hit streak. Fellow first years Teagan Dwyer and Ella Stoops collected their first collegiate RBIs in the doubleheader against the Gaels.
CALIFORNIA KIDS
The Pioneers saw outstanding performances from Cali natives Elle Leckrone and Kowalski while they were out west. Leckrone, a La Cañada native, hit .423 (11-for-26) as the team's leadoff hitter, with five RBIs, two runs, a double and a home run. Leckrone had all five RBIs after hitting a grand slam in SHU's win over San Jose State. Kowalski went 9-for-23 for a .391. The San Clemente native had three RBIs, three runs and a team-best two home runs over the seven games.
SCOUTING SIENA
Siena heads into the weekend with a 4-6 overall record, last going 2-3 at the Make it happen games in Madeira Beach, Fla. In those five games, the Saints were outscored 23–14, but they did pick up wins over Colgate and Bowling Green.
Siena's offense this season has revolved around Emma Peterson, Chloe Cummings, and Gracie Goeway. Peterson, who was just named the MAAC Player of the Week, is batting .459 through 10 games. She has three home runs and three doubles, as she leads the team with 11 RBIs. Cummings is batting .419 with three doubles and nine RBIs, while Goeway is hitting .353 with four RBIs and a double. Sophomore pitcher Violet Marta leads the Saints' pitching staff this season. She has four wins and a 1.82 ERA, with three complete games.
The Saints come into their MAAC opener with high expectations after being picked third in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Peterson and Goeway both made the Preseason All-MAAC team.
SERIES HISTORY
The long-standing matchup between the Pioneers and the Saints includes 40 previous meetings, giving both teams significant familiarity with each other. Currently, the Saints have a 25–14-1 advantage in the all-time series. Notably, Siena has won nine of the last 10 games between the programs. However, home field has favored SHU, as the Pioneers hold a 7–6 record against Siena at Pioneer Park since 2007, including their most recent 3-2 win at home on March 21, 2024.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Pioneers made a change to their schedule, as they are now hosting Hofstra on Wednesday, March 11, instead of heading to Long Island for a doubleheader. The first game of the twin bill between the Pioneers and Pride is slated to start at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Park.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballSaige Harper Paris 2024
Tuesday, April 16
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 13
Friday, March 08
Behind the Boards (WIH): Season 2, Episode 14
Friday, February 23
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 12
Friday, February 16
