FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team has a busy week on its hands as the Pioneers host FDU for a doubleheader on Thursday and head to Rider for its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series on Saturday and Sunday. 

Game Information
Game 1: Sacred Heart vs. FDU – Thursday, Mar. 20; 2:00 p.m. 
Game 2: Sacred Heart vs. FDU – Thursday, Mar. 20; 4:00 p.m. 
Game 3: Sacred Heart at Rider (MAAC) – Saturday, Mar. 22; 12:00 p.m. 
Game 4: Sacred Heart at Rider (MAAC) – Saturday, Mar. 22; 2:00 p.m. 
Game 5: Sacred Heart at Rider (MAAC) – Sunday, Mar. 23; 12:00 p.m. 
* All live video and stat links can be found on sacredheartpioneers.com 

LAST TIME OUT
The Pioneers split a doubleheader against Brown on Saturday, Mar. 15, to open its home slate this season. SHU dropped the opener by a 3-0 final score despite outhitting the Bears by a 7-2 margin. Sam Kowalski threw a gem for the Pios, allowing just two hits over 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts, but some defensive miscues allowed Brown to score, which led to the home defeat. Sacred Heart bounced back quickly in game two, scoring a season-high 12 runs in a 12-7 victory. The Pioneers plated three in both the second and third innings to storm out to the early lead, as Nicole Henke drove in all six runs. A strong fourth by the Bears made the contest interesting, but SHU sealed the win with five more runs in the fifth. Emily Heath earned her second win of the season, going 6.1 innings. Kowalski got the final two outs after Brown loaded the bases. 

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
For the first time as MAAC members, SHU earned weekly recognition from the conference on Tuesday when Elle Leckrone was named the league's Rookie of the Week. Leckrone started both games against the Bears, leading the team with a .571 batting average (4-for-7). The utility player and pitcher tallied four hits with a double and two runs scored. She scored twice in the Pios' 12-7 win in the second game.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR HENKE
Henke had herself a day against the Bears in game two. The junior shortstop tallied six RBIs with a home run and a double in her first two at-bats of the bout. Henke became the first Pioneer since 2011 to tally six RBIs in a game. Courtney Lee was the last Pio with 6+ RBIs with seven in 2011 against Colorado State after she hit two homers.

SCOUTING FDU
The Knights head into Thursday's games with a 9-11 overall record after taking two of three in its NEC opener against LIU this past weekend. After falling 10-2 in the opener, FDU bounced back with 11-2 and 8-4 wins in the final two games. Senior Julia Swan and 2024 NEC Rookie of the Year Brooklyn Shroyer lead the pitching staffs with ERAs of 2.80 and 3.68, respectively. Swan has five wins and leads the NEC with six complete games, while Shroyer is 4-3 with a shutout. At the plate, freshman Madison Rishel owns a team-best .433 batting average and has scored 15 runs. 

SCOUTING RIDER
The Brocs are 6-15 heading into the week, with a Wednesday doubleheader at Seton Hall standing between their MAAC opener against the Pioneers. Rider, who was picked in a tie for third in the MAAC Preseason Poll, were last swept in a twin bill at Delaware after it took two at Penn the prior Tuesday. The Broncs have been led by their pitching staff, as they rank fourth in the MAAC with a 4.17    ERA as a team. Graduate pitcher Anna-Marie Groskritz paces the team with a 2.41 ERA, four wins and three shutouts, which is 14th in the country. Sophomore catcher Abby Cruz has been the team's best hitter with a .295 average, 10 RBIs, one homer and four doubles. 

UP NEXT
Next week, SHU hits the ground running on Tuesday with a home doubleheader against Stony Brook at 2 and 4 p.m. at Pioneer Park.