FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team owned a 7-3 advantage in hits over FDU in its Northeast Conference opener on Friday but fell by a 5-2 final score at Pioneer Park. 

Team Records
Sacred Heart (9-14, 1-3 NEC)
FDU (9-14, 1-3 NEC)

FDU 5, SHU 2 
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 4-7 record)
Julia Swan (FDU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 5-4 record) 

Top Performers:
Amy Petrovich (SHU) – 2-3, 1 RBI 
Nicole Henke (SHU) – 2-3, 1 run
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – 1-3, 1 RBI

Of Note:
The Knights kicked off today's game with three runs in the top of the first inning. FDU tallied just one hit in the frame, but it was a three-run homer from Andreya Flores. 

SHU answered with a run in the bottom of the first to draw the deficit to 3-1. Jenna Mowad started the frame with a walk before Amy Petrovich blasted a double to deep right-center for the run. 

The Pioneers cracked the scoreboard again in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the FDU lead to one, 3-2. Sam Kowalski helped herself in the pitching circle by plating Nicole Henke from second following her leadoff double. 

FDU added to its advantage in the next half inning with a two-run homer off the bat of Savannah Thornell to make it a 5-2 game. 

Down three runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Pios put up a fight in their final chance at the plate. After two quick outs to start the inning, SHU put two on following a Henke single and a Grace Saad hit-by-pitch. Representing the tying run, Kowalski gutted out a seven-pitch at-bat which ended with a deep fly ball that was cut by a running centerfielder on the warning track. 
    
In the circle, Kowalski allowed just three hits over 7.0 innings of work. The first year from San Clemente, Calif., struck out four batters and owned four hitless innings. 

Up Next
SHU will have Saturday off due to the forecasted rain, returning to the diamond for a doubleheader against FDU on Sunday starting at noon.