FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team saw its offense exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on its way to a comeback 8-5 victory over Merrimack in Northeast Conference play on Sunday at Pioneer Park. 

Team Records
Sacred Heart (8-12, 1-2 NEC)
Merrimack (4-8, 2-1 NEC)

Game 1: SHU 8, MC 5
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (2.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 3 strikeouts) 
Liv Vadas (SHU) - (W, 5.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 3 strikeouts, 2-3 record) 
Bry Michitson (MC) - (3.1 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout) 
Katelyn Thompson (MC) - (L, 2.2 innings pitched, 6 earned runs, 2 strikeouts, 0-2 record)

Top Performers:
Alyssa Gonzalez (SHU) – 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 run, 1 home run
Emily Carroll (SHU) – 1-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 double
Nicole Henke (SHU) – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 double

Of Note:
Both teams put runs on the scoreboard in the first inning, as Merrimack tallied two runs and the Pios scored one. Nicole Henke brought SHU's first run across with a two-out double down the left field line, plating Emily Carroll from third. 

The Warriors continued to add to their advantage with one run in both the second and fourth innings to go ahead 4-1 heading into the home half of the frame. 

Sacred Heart cut into its deficit with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With three on after a trio of singles, Rachael Kohler stepped to the plate and tallied a single to left center to plate Henke from third to make it a 4-2 game. 

A Merrimack run in the top of the sixth set the Pios' deficit at 5-2 heading into the bottom of the frame. SHU began its comeback with a walk and two singles to load the basses. With the bases jacked, Head Coach Pam London called for Kaelyn Freed to pinch hit. The first year answered the call with a sacrifice fly to right field for her first career RBI. 

A strikeout and a Samantha Kostek walk followed Freed's sac fly to reload the bases for Carroll. The junior came up huge in front of the home crowd, sending a double down the left field line to clear the bases and give SHU a one-run lead, 6-5. 

The Pioneers were not done recording two-out hits, as Alyssa Gonzalez stepped to the plate and smashed a homer over the left field fence to extend the lead to 8-5. Gonzalez's home run is her team-best sixth this season and the 43rd of her impressive career. 

With the lead, Liv Vadas capped off her second win of the season by retiring the side in the top of the seventh. The senior tossed 5.0 innings in relief and struck out three batters. 

Up Next
SHU hits the road for its next game, a non-conference showdown against Iona on Tuesday, March 21. The Pios and Gaels will play one game at 3 p.m. in New Rochelle, N.Y.