Saturday, March 7
Fairfield, CT
1:00 PM
Sacred Heart
3-10, 1-0
4
vs
1
Siena
4-7, 0-1
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Siena
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
4
0
Sacred Heart
0
1
3
0
0
0
X
4
10
2
Photo by: Greg Vasil
Softball Splits MAAC Opener at Home
3/7/2026 7:11:00 PM | Softball
Kowalski struck out a career-best 13 batters in the opening win
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team split its home- and conference-opening doubleheader against Siena on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Park. SHU took the first game after an outstanding showing from Sam Kowalski before the Saints won a 2-1 barnburner in the night cap.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (3-11, 1-1 MAAC)
Siena (5-7, 1-1 MAAC)
Game 1: SHU 4, Siena 1
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 13 strike outs, 2-5 record)
Violet Marta (Siena) - (L, 2.2 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 4-4 record)
Gracie Goewey (Siena) - (3.1 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 4 strikeouts)
Top Performers:
Elle Leckrone – 2-4, 1 run, 2 doubles
Charlene Davis – 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 double
How It Happened:
The Pios opened the scoring in the doubleheader in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on a leadoff single from Katherine Burras that turned into a run on an RBI single from Kaelyn Freed with two outs.
SHU added three more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-0 advantage and to chase the Saints' starting pitcher. Elle Leckrone started the frame with her first of two doubles in the game before being driven across on a double by Charlene Davis. With Davis and Alexa Barbera on, Savannah Moore cleared the bases with a two RBI single to make it 4-0.
The Saints took a run in the top of the sixth to prevent the shutout, but SHU claimed a 4-1 victory at the end.
Kowalski threw a gem in the first game, going a complete 7.0 innings with a career-best 13 strikeouts. She allowed four hits total to a talented Saints' offense.
Game 2: Siena 2, SHU 1
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 4 strikeouts, 1-5 record)
Gracie Goewey (Siena) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 10 strikeouts, 1-2 record)
Top Performers:
Nicole Henke – 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Savannah Moore – 1-3, 1 double
How It Happened:
The Saints took a 2-0 lead in game two, scoring one in both the second and third innings.
SHU answered in the bottom of the third with a solo home run by Nicole Henke. The senior slammed the ball to deep left field to cut the margin to 2-1.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the remainder of the game was controlled by the pitchers. Neither team scored for the rest of the contest as the Saints split the day with a 2-1 win.
Emily Heath was outstanding in the circle, going all 7.0 innings and allowing just one earned run. Heath tied a season high with four strikeouts.
Notes:
Up Next:
The Pioneers conclude this weekend's series against the Saints tomorrow afternoon, with a noon start at Pioneer Park.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (3-11, 1-1 MAAC)
Siena (5-7, 1-1 MAAC)
Game 1: SHU 4, Siena 1
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 13 strike outs, 2-5 record)
Violet Marta (Siena) - (L, 2.2 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 4-4 record)
Gracie Goewey (Siena) - (3.1 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 4 strikeouts)
Top Performers:
Elle Leckrone – 2-4, 1 run, 2 doubles
Charlene Davis – 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 double
How It Happened:
The Pios opened the scoring in the doubleheader in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on a leadoff single from Katherine Burras that turned into a run on an RBI single from Kaelyn Freed with two outs.
SHU added three more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-0 advantage and to chase the Saints' starting pitcher. Elle Leckrone started the frame with her first of two doubles in the game before being driven across on a double by Charlene Davis. With Davis and Alexa Barbera on, Savannah Moore cleared the bases with a two RBI single to make it 4-0.
The Saints took a run in the top of the sixth to prevent the shutout, but SHU claimed a 4-1 victory at the end.
Kowalski threw a gem in the first game, going a complete 7.0 innings with a career-best 13 strikeouts. She allowed four hits total to a talented Saints' offense.
Game 2: Siena 2, SHU 1
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 4 strikeouts, 1-5 record)
Gracie Goewey (Siena) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 10 strikeouts, 1-2 record)
Top Performers:
Nicole Henke – 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Savannah Moore – 1-3, 1 double
How It Happened:
The Saints took a 2-0 lead in game two, scoring one in both the second and third innings.
SHU answered in the bottom of the third with a solo home run by Nicole Henke. The senior slammed the ball to deep left field to cut the margin to 2-1.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the remainder of the game was controlled by the pitchers. Neither team scored for the rest of the contest as the Saints split the day with a 2-1 win.
Emily Heath was outstanding in the circle, going all 7.0 innings and allowing just one earned run. Heath tied a season high with four strikeouts.
Notes:
- Kowalski recorded a career-best 13 strikeouts in game one.
- Kowalski picked up her second win of the year.
- Moore and Leckrone had hits in both games.
- Henke hit her second home run of the season.
- Heath tied a season high with four strikeouts in the second game.
Up Next:
The Pioneers conclude this weekend's series against the Saints tomorrow afternoon, with a noon start at Pioneer Park.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kowalski, Sam (2-5)
L: Violet Marta (4-4)
Batting:
3B: Sarah Miller 1
RBI: Sarah Miller 1
SH: Chloe Cummings 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Emmalynn Skaff 1
SB: Emma Petersen 1 ; Gracie Goewey 1 ; Cali DeLawder 1
HBP: Gracie Goewey 1
Batting:
2B: Leckrone, Elle 2 ; Bender, Cierra 1 ; Davis, Charlene 1
RBI: Davis, Charlene 1 ; Moore, Savannah 2 ; Freed, Kaelyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Leckrone, Elle 1 ; Barbera, Alexa 1 ; Davis, Charlene 1 ; Burras, Katherine 1
SB: Moore, Savannah 1
HBP: Barbera, Alexa 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ SoftballC
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ SoftballP/UTL
/ Softball
INF
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