BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart University softball team bounced back in game two of today's doubleheader at LIU to earn a split against the Sharks. The Pios dropped game one 4-3 before taking the nightcap 7-3.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (20-24,11-6 NEC)
LIU (24-16, 4-4 NEC)
Game 1: LIU 4, SHU 3
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – (L, 6.2 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, 11-10 record)
Lindsey Cowans (LIU) – (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 8 strikeouts, 14-10 record)
Top Performers:
Victoria LoPinto (SHU) – 1-3, 1 run, 1RBI, 1 home run
Carly Koltko (SHU) – 1-3, 2 RBIs, 1 run, 1 home run
Of Note:
Victoria LoPinto started her outstanding day with a solo home run in the top of the third inning to give SHU an early 1-0 lead.
The Sharks answered with one run in the bottom of the fifth before the Pioneers retook the lead with two runs in the sixth. After
Cierra Bender reached first on an error,
Carly Koltko slammed her team-leading seventh homer of the season to give SHU a 3-1 advantage.
Unfortunately for the Pios, the Sharks tied the gamein the bottom of the sixth before walking off in the seventh.
Sam Kowalski threw all 6.2 innings for the Pioneers, striking out three Sharks.
Game 2: SHU 7, LIU 3
Pitchers:
Emily Heath (SHU) – (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, 9-10 record)
Alyssa O'Donnell (LIU) – (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 7 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, 8-6 record)
Top Performers:
Victoria LoPinto (SHU) – 2-4, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 home run
Emily Carroll (SHU) – 2-4, 3 RBIs, 1 run, 1 home run
Of Note:
The Pioneers wasted no time storming out to the lead at the start of game two, going up 4-0 after the first inning. SHU began the frame with two singles before
Emily Carroll blasted her second homer of the season to make it a 3-0 game.
Charlene Davis brought in Sacred Heart's fourth run with a one-out double.
LIU scored the game's next run in the bottom of the third before SHU widened its advantage with a three-run fifth. With two on and two outs, LoPinto went yard for the second time on the day with a three-run jack to give the Pios a 7-1 advantage. LoPinto is second on the team with six home runs this season.
The Sharks added two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but it proved not to be enough as the Pioneers forced a rubber match tomorrow with a 7-3 victory.
Emily Heath earned the win in the circle for SHU, going 7.0 innings without giving up an earned run. She struck out three in her ninth win of the season.
Up Next:
The Pioneers will play the rubber match against the Sharks tomorrow at noon.
