GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Sacred Heart University softball team opened the 2024 season with a pair of hard-fought losses against challenging foes Ohio and UNC Greensboro on day one of the Spiro Classic. SHU dropped the opener by a 4-3 final score before suffering a 5-3 loss in the nightcap.
Team Records
Sacred Heart (0-2)
Ohio (2-4)
UNC Greensboro (3-5)
Game 1: Ohio 4, SHU 3
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 0-1 record)
Skipp Miller (OHIO) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, 2-2 record)
Top Performers:
Emily Carroll (SHU) – 2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Rachael Kohler (SHU) – 1-1, 2 RBIs, 1 double
Of Note:
Ohio got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning, scoring all four of its runs in the frame. CiCi Keidel broke the scoreless deadlock with a two-run triple before Yasmine Loga recorded a two-run double to make it a 4-0 lead.
The Pioneers settled in after the second, holding the Bobcats scoreless on five hits for the remainder of the game. In the circle,
Sam Kowalski put up a valiant effort in her sophomore debut. The reigning Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie of the Year finished the game with four earned over 6.0 innings for SHU, fanning four batters in the process.
At the plate, the Pioneers' bats started to heat up in the fifth, when
Emily Carroll began the frame with a solo homer to center field. Carroll is starting to build off her strong junior campaign, where she was tabbed NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team and All-NEC First Team.
The Pioneers continued to make Ohio sweat in the seventh, as SHU put two runners on with no outs to start the frame. Following a pair of popups,
Rachael Kohler cut the deficit to one with a two-run double. Unfortunately for Sacred Heart, it could not bring the tying run across as the Pios opened the season with a hard-fought 4-3 setback.
Game 2: UNCG 5, SHU 3
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (L, 4.2 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 2 strikeouts, 0-1 record)
Jenna Pfister (SHU) - (1.1 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Jorde Chartrand (UNCG) - (W, 6.1 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 1-0 record)
Rhyann Jones (UNCG) - (0.2 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout)
Top Performers:
Morgan Teodosio (SHU) – 1-3, 3 RBIs, 1 run, 1 home run
Emily Carroll (SHU) – 2-3
Of Note:
In an inverse of today's opener, the Pioneers started the second game of today's twin bill with a 3-0 lead over the host of UNC Greensboro. In the top of the second inning, junior
Morgan Teodosio blasted a two-out, three-run home run to center field to give SHU the early advantage. The homer is the first of Teodosio's career.
After holding the Spartans scoreless for the first three innings, the Pioneers gave up three runs in the fourth which tied the game. All three UNCG runs came from one-run hits, two being singles and one being a double.
After taking the momentum in the fourth, the Spartans claimed the lead in the fifth off a two-run blast from Meredith Harwod. UNCG did not give up the lead for the remainder of the game, claiming a 5-3 win on its home field.
Emily Heath got the start for the Pioneers in game two today, going 4.2 innings with two strikeouts in her sophomore debut.
Jenna Pfister posted a scoreless 1.1 innings for the Pios to end the bout.
Six Pios ended the nightcap with a hit, including Carroll, who posted her second consecutive multi-hit game. SHU also outhit the defending SoCon by a 7-6 margin in the contest.
Up Next
The Pioneers continue the Spiro Classic tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. with a rematch against Ohio.
