HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Sacred Heart University softball team opened its weekend Northeast Conference (NEC) series against FDU on Friday with a split in Hackensack, N.J. The Pioneers dropped a heartbreaker in the opener, 3-2, before bouncing back with a 4-0 win in the nightcap behind a shutout from starting pitcher Emily Heath. 

With the victory, SHU improved to 10-15 overall and 4-1 in NEC play.

Team Records
Sacred Heart (10-15, 4-1 NEC)
FDU (10-12, 2-3 NEC)

Game 1 FDU 3, SHU 2
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 6.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 5-7 record)
Brooklyn Shroyer (FDU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 8 strikeouts, 8-5 record) 

Top Performers:
Emily Carroll (SHU) – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 RBI
Jess Brown (SHU) – 2-3
 
Of Note:
The Pioneers stormed out to an early lead in the top of the first behind doubles from Victoria LoPinto and Emily Carroll. Both Pioneers scored runs in the inning, while Carroll and Sam Kowalski tallied RBIs. 

FDU answered over the subsequent two frames, taking a 3-2 lead through three innings. 

Unfortunately for the Pios, both teams' pitchers took over and the game ended without another run being scored. SHU had its chances, outhitting the Knights by a 7-5 margin, but FDU got out of every jam to take the opener. 

In the circle, Kowalski tossed all 6.0 innings for the Pioneers, striking out five while allowing three earned runs. 

Game 2: SHU 4, FDU 0
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 5-6 record)  
Julia Swan (FDU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 11 strikeouts, 1-7 record)

Top Performers:
Carly Koltko (SHU) – 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 double
Cierra Bender (SHU) – 2-4, 1 run, 1 double

Of Note:
With both pitchers cruising through the first six innings, the action in game two started in the seventh. With the score tied at 0-0, Nicole Henke kicked off the frame with a two-base error by the FDU center fielder. A wild pitch put her on third before Jess Brown singled and stole second. With two on and no outs, LoPinto brought in the game's first run with a single up the middle to plate both Henke and Brown. 

Allie Ortiz made it a 3-0 SHU lead with her first career RBI on a groundout that plated LoPinto. Carly Koltko settled SHU's lead at 4-0 with a hard-hit double to left that scored Cierra Bender from second. 

Heath put the finishing touches on her gem in the bottom of the seventh, ending the contest by catching a lineout. The sophomore from Coventry, R.I., earned her second career shutout after striking out six Knight batters. She improved to 5-6 on the season. 

Up Next
The Pioneers will play the rubber match against FDU on Sunday, March 24. The series-ending bout is slated to start at noon.