FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team opens the week with a Tuesday doubleheader at crosstown rival Fairfield in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at 2 p.m. at the Stags' Alumni Softball Field. 

Game Information
Game 1: Sacred Heart at Fairfield (MAAC) – Tuesday, Apr. 15; 2:00 p.m. 
Game 2: Sacred Heart at Fairfield (MAAC) – Tuesday, Apr. 15; 4:00 p.m. 
* All live video and stat links can be found on sacredheartpioneers.com 

LAST TIME OUT
The Pioneers dropped a pair of home games against Manhattan on Wednesday. Both defeats came by one run, 1-0 and 4-3, as the Pios also outhit the Jaspers by a 15-6 margin. SHU was led by strong pitching, as Sam Kowalski led the way with a 0.78 ERA over 9.0 innings. She tossed a complete game in game one, giving up one hit and one earned run before throwing 2.0 innings in game two without a run. Kowalski tallied 11 strikeouts over the two appearances. Carly Koltko led the offense, going 4-for-7 (.571) with a pair of RBIs. 

STRIKEOUT SPECIALIST
Last week, Kowalski continued to show why she is one of the most consistent pitchers in the country as she continues to climb the national rankings. The standout junior is 29th in the country with 117 strikeouts this season and 55th in K's per seven innings (7.8). She also ranks 48th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.9). 

SCOUTING FAIRFIELD
The Stags head into Tuesday ranked third in the MAAC at 10-3, losing three of their last five league games. Fairfield was swept by Marist before taking two of three from Niagara. Like Kowalski, Alyssa Weinberg has been a workhorse for the Stags, as she ranks third in the MAAC with 110.2 innings pitched. The junior leads the league and is 23rd in the country with 125 strikeouts and 48th in DI with 7.9 K's per game. She is 12-5 on the season with a 2.26 ERA. Offensively, Charli Warren leads the team with a .376 batting average and 34 runs scored. Ava Armuth has also been strong with 18 RBIs, three doubles, three triples and three home runs.  

UP NEXT
The Pios next welcome Marist for a three-game series this weekend. SHU will play the Red Foxes in the doubleheader on Friday, Apr. 18, and the single game on Saturday.