FAIRFIELD, Conn.- The Sacred Heart University softball team returned home with vengeance against Central Connecticut State as they took the opening two games 2-1 and 9-5 on Tuesday.
 
Team Records
 
Sacred Heart University Pioneers (11-30 overall, 4-10 NEC)
Central Connecticut State (5-34 overall, 1-13 NEC)
 
Game 1 Score: SHU 2, CCSU 1
 
Pitchers:
 
Sarah Lawton (SHU)- (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 6 hits, 5 strikeouts, 7-13 record)
Kaylee Whittaker (CCSU)- (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 3-10 record)
 
Top Performers
 
Grace Saad (SHU)- 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Amy Petrovich (SHU) – 1-3, 1 RBI
 
Of Note:

• The Blue Devils took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning off an solo home run by Meg Dugas.
• In the fourth inning, the Pioneers responded as Amy Petrovich ripped an RBI single to center field to even the score up at 1-1.
• Two innings later in the bottom of the sixth inning, Grace Saad launched her fifth home run of the year to secure the 2-1 victory for the Pioneers.

 
Game 2 Score: SHU 9, CCSU 5
 
Pitchers:
 
Carly Koltko (SHU)- (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 11 strikeouts, 3-6 record)
Ashley Antonazzo (CCSU)- (2.0 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 2 strikeouts)
Kari Marks (CCSU)- (L, 4.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs 4 strikeouts, 1-10 record)
 
 
Top Performers
 
Carly Koltko (SHU)- 1-3, 1 home run 1 RBI
Emily Carroll (SHU)- 3-4, 1 RBI
Amy Petrovich (SHU)- 3-4, 1 RBI
 
Of Note:

• SHU tacked on four runs in the bottom of the first inning which featured an RBI double by Grace Saad upping her hit streak to seven games.
• In the second inning, Amy Petrovich ripped an RBI single through the left side scoring in Megan Knepper to give the Pioneers a 5-0 lead.
• Carly Kolkto can hit and pitch as she proved in the third inning as she launched her second home run of the year to give the Pioneers a 6-0 lead.
• CCSU narrowed the Pioneers lead to 6-2 off a two-run home run by Kim Howard in the top of the fourth inning.
• The Blue Devils crept closer to the SHU lead in the sixth inning as they scored two more runs off a bases loaded walk and RBI single to make the score 6-4.
• SHU responded in the bottom half of the inning as Marie Funes fired a two-RBI single to first base to put the Pioneers ahead 8-4.
• Kylee Harvey who knock a single to the shortstop in the same inning to give SHU a 9-4 edge.
• CCSU made one final attempt to score as Kim Howard hit another home run to make the final score 9-5.

 
Up Next:
 
The Pioneers look for the series sweep of the Blue Devils on Wednesday, April 20 at 1:00 p.m.