FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team is set for road non-conference contests against both Fairfield and St. John's this week. The Pioneers will play a single game at Fairfield on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before heading to St. John's for a Thursday doubleheader at 2:30 p.m. 

SHU VS. FAIRFIELD GAME INFORMATION 
Sacred Heart at Fairfield – Wednesday, April 26; 3:00 p.m. Video | Live Stats

SHU VS. ST. JOHN'S GAME INFORMATION 
Game 1: Sacred Heart at St. John's – Thursday, April 27; 2:30 p.m. Live Stats
Game 2: Sacred Heart at St. John's – Thursday, April 27; 4:30 p.m. Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
The Pios played three competitive, low-scoring games against Wagner on Friday and Saturday, falling in all three by two runs or less. The Seahawks took game one 3-2 in 10 innings before earning 3-1 and 1-0 victories in a doubleheader on Saturday. All three contests were highlighted by exceptional pitching by both sides. Sam Kowalski led the way for the Pioneers, owning a 1.08 ERA over 13.0 innings in two appearances with 15 strikeouts. Liv Vadas and Emily Heath also made strong starts, as Vadas gave up one earned in 3.0 innings, and Heath allowed three earned over 5.0 frames. 

LIGHTS OUT PITCHING
Kowalski garnered weekly recognition from the league for the second straight week and the third time this season as she was named the NEC Co-Rookie of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. The first-year pitcher has been named Rookie of the Week twice this year and is a one-time Pitcher of the Week. Kowalski made three stellar appearances this week, posting a 1-1 record with a 0.88 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 16.0 innings. The San Clemente, Calif., native began play with a win at Yale on Wednesday after striking out five batters in 3.0 scoreless relief innings. Then, she struck out a season-best 10 batters over 9.0 frames against Wagner on Friday. Finally, Kowalski ceded one hit over 4.0 innings of relief against the Seahawks on Saturday on a no-decision.  

SCOUTING FAIRFIELD
Wednesday's game marks a rubber match between the Pios and Stags, as both teams own a win over the other this season. SHU came out on top of a 6-3 bout at the Flames Classic before Fairfield won 5-3 at Pioneer Park on March 23. The Stags enter this week with a 13-21 overall record and a 7-7 mark in the MAAC after splitting a twin bill at Iona this past Saturday. Leading the way for the Stags' offense has been sophomore Charli Warren, who owns a .330 batting average with team highs in both runs (20) and stolen bases (16). Graduate student Kaitlin Hoffman has been the team's best power hitter with a .434 slugging percentage, 16 RBI, seven doubles, three triples, and a home run. In the circle, Samantha Lindsay and Allie Bridgman own ERAs of 2.99 and 3.09, respectively. Lindsay paces the team with six wins, while Bridgman has thrown a team-leading 52 strikeouts. 

SCOUTING ST. JOHN'S
The Red Storm head into Thursday's twin bill with a 17-25 overall record while being 6-12 in the Big East. St. John's last took two of three at home against Georgetown, winning the first two games on Friday and Saturday before dropping Sunday's bout, 6-4. Before battling the Pioneers, the Red Storm will host Manhattan on Wednesday. Sophomore London Jarrard has been terrorizing Big East pitching all season, as she leads the team with a .339 batting average, a .661 slugging percentage, 24 runs, 21 RBI, 14 doubles, and six home runs. In the circle, St. John's has three pitchers with ERAs between 3.56-3.92. Sophomore Carolina Zamudio paces the group with a 3.56 ERA and seven wins. 

UP NEXT
SHU is slated to close out its NEC slate at home with a weekend series against LIU on Saturday and Sunday. The Pios and Sharks will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and a single game Sunday at noon. Sacred Heart will celebrate its Senior Day after Saturday's twin bill.