FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team wrapped up regular-season Northeast Conference (NEC) play with a 5-2 setback against Le Moyne on Sunday at Pioneer Park. 

With today's loss, the Pioneers end the NEC slate with a 16-8 record (.667), which is tied with LIU for second in the conference based on win percentage. 

Team Records:
Sacred Heart (25-26,16-8 NEC)
Le Moyne (15-33, 6-12 NEC)  

Le Moyne 5, SHU 2
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – (3.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts)
Genevieve Gleason (SHU) – (L, 0.1 innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 0-3 record)
Emily Heath (SHU) – (3.2 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 1 strikeout)
Laura Bennett (LEM) – (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned run, 4 strikeouts, 9-18 record)

Top Performers:
Cierra Bender (SHU) – 3-4, 1 triple, 1 double
Victoria LoPinto (SHU) – 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 inside-the-park home run
Sam Kowalski (SHU) – 3-3, 1 RBI

Of Note:
Victoria LoPinto gave the Pios a spark to open their half of the first inning, smacking a ball to left field that hooked over the fielder's head and into the corner. The speedy LoPinto never took her foot off the gas, flying around third and sliding home for an inside-the-park homer. The home run is LoPinto's team-leading eighth of the season. 

SHU's 1-0 advantage held until the top of the fourth, when the Dolphins scored five runs to take a 5-1 lead. 

The Pioneers cut into the advantage in the sixth with one run, but it proved to not be enough as Le Moyne held on for the 5-2 victory. 

In addition to LoPinto, Cierra Bender also had a great day at the plate for Sacred Heart. The first year infielder tallied a single, double and triple, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. 

In the circle, Sam Kowalski, Genevieve Gleason and Emily Heath all made appearances. Kowalski led the group with two strikeouts over 3.0 innings. 

Up Next:
The Pioneers will wrap up the regular season at Fairfield on Wednesday, May 1, at 2 p.m.