FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team completed a weekend sweep of Wagner in Northeast Conference play on Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Park by a final score of 5-3. The home victory completed a three-game sweep for the Pios over the Seahawks and improved SHU's NEC record to 3-0. 
 
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (7-14, 3-0 NEC)
Wagner (2-11, 0-3 NEC)
 
Top Performers:
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – (W, 6.2 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, 5-6 record)
Emily Heath (SHU) – (Sv, 0.1 innings pitched, 1 strikeout)
Abby Moran (WAG) – (L, 2.1 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 1-3 record)
Karson Kavala (WAG) – 3.2 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 6 strikeouts)
 
At Bats:
Carly Koltko (SHU) – 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 HR
Victoria LoPinto (SHU) – 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Cierra Bender (SHU) – 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
 
Of Note:
After two scoreless innings, bats came alive for the Pioneers in the bottom of the third as the hosts scored four runs on four hits to take a commanding 4-0 lead. 
 
Victoria LoPinto kicked off the inning with a deep ball to center field, which placed her on third before a double from Cierra Bender allowed LoPinto to cross home for the game's first run. Despite an infield popup from Emily Carroll, Sam Kowalski kept things going with an RBI double down the left field line, advancing Bender home from second and doubling the Pioneers' lead 2-0. Carly Koltko capped the scoring in the bottom of the fourth as the junior connected on a pitch that sent the ball over the center field fence for the two-run homer. 
 
The Seahawks responded a half inning later, scoring a pair of runs behind back-to-back RBI singles from Abby Moran and Justine Carranza to cut the lead in half, 4-2. 
 
The bats went quiet for the hosts until the bottom of the sixth, when LoPinto recorded the two-out sacrifice fly that sent Jenna Mowad home from third, increasing SHU's lead to three, 5-2.
 
Wagner made a late push in the top of the seventh, but solid defensive work and relief pitching from Emily Heath kept the Seahawks to one run and left the tying run on first base.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers return to Pioneer Park on Wednesday, March 20 for a single non-conference game against crosstown fivals Fairfield. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM.