FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team won both games of Saturday's Northeast Conference (NEC) opening doubleheader against Wager at Pioneer Park. SHU took the opener 1-0 behind a gem from Sam Kowalski before securing a 3-1 victory in game two. 

Team Records
Sacred Heart (6-14, 2-0 NEC)
Wagner (2-10, 0-2 NEC)

Game 1 SHU 1, WAG 0
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 4-6 record)
Karson Zavala (WAG) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 3 strikeouts, 0-4 record) 

Top Performers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – 1-3, 1 RBI
 
Of Note:
Both pitchers dominated the action in the opening game of today's doubleheader, as the contest remained scoreless over the opening 5.5 innings. 

The Pioneers broke the scoreless deadlock with a run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 1-0 lead. With Victoria LoPinto on second following a walk and a sac bunt, starting pitcher Kowalski gave herself the lead with an RBI single up the middle. 

With the way Kowalski was throwing, a one-run cushion was more than enough. The sophomore threw a complete-game gem with five strikeouts over 7.0 innings, allowing just five hits. Kowalski worked out of the few jams she faced, improving to 4-6 on the season with today's shutout. 

Game 2: SHU 3, WAG 1
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 2-6 record)  
Natalie Rodriguez (WAG) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 2 strikeouts, 1-3 record)

Top Performers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – 1-3, 1 run, 2 RBIs
Carly Koltko (SHU) – 1-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk

Of Note:
Game two started with a flurry of Pioneer runs as SHU stormed out to an early 3-0 advantage. With the bases loaded and no outs, Kowalski recorded a single to left to score two runners. Carly Koltko got the plate next and brought in one with an RBI single to center. 

Ahead 3-0, the Pioneers kept the visitors off the scoreboard until the fourth inning. The Seahawks also had the bases loaded with no outs, but Pios' starter Emily Heath worked out of the jam by allowing just one run to preserve a 3-1 SHU lead. The highlight of the inning came when a Wagner batter tallied an RBI single to left, but Emily Carroll caught the runner from second trying to score for the first out of the frame. 

SHU maintained the lead for the remainder of the game, holding the Seahawks scoreless over the final 3.0 innings. Heath struck out six over her appearance, earning her second win of the season. 

Up Next
The Pioneers conclude their weekend series against Wagner on Sunday with a noon matchup at Pioneer Park.