FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team dropped a heartbreaker to Marist, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon in the two team's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series finale at Pioneer Park. 

Team Records:
Sacred Heart (18-22, 8-9 MAAC)
Marist (34-7-1, 10-2-1 MAAC)

Marist 4, SHU 3
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 10-11 record)
Kiley Myers (Marist) - (2.1 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 4 strikeouts)
Maddie Pleasants (Marist) - (W, 4.2 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 12-3 record)

Top Performers:
Sam Kowalski – 2-3, 2 RBIs, 2 Doubles
Charlene Davis – 3-4, 1 run

Of Note:
The Red Foxes opened the game's scoring in the top of the first by taking advantage of a pair of doubles. 

SHU quickly answered in the bottom of the second with its first run of the series to tie the game at 1-1. Charlene Davis opened the frame with a single before Sam Kowalski doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Morgan Teodosio stepped to the plate and sent a single to right field to bring Davis in. Unfortunately, Marist worked out of the jam to keep the score tied. 

The Red Foxes added two more runs in the top of the third to retake the lead, 3-1. An error by the Pioneers made both Marist runs unearned. 

The Pioneers were again ready with an answer in the home half of the third, tying the score again at 3-3. With singles in three of its first four at-bats, SHU loaded the bases with one out. Kowalski was up for the occasion, sending a two-run double to left center, which prompted Marist to pull pitcher Kiley Myers, last season's MAAC Pitcher of the Year, after just 2.1 innings. Maddie Pleasants entered in relief and got the final two outs to preserve the deadlock. 

A scoreless fourth preceded a one-run fifth for the Red Foxes, which gave them back the advantage, 4-3. 

Unfortunately for SHU, it could not cut tie the score before the end of the game, as Marist held on to seal a 4-3 victory. 

At the dish, Kowalski finished 2-for-3, with both hits being doubles. Davis went 3-for-4 and scored the game's first run. 

Kowalski was outstanding in the circle, throwing all 7.0 frames for the Pioneers while giving up two earned runs to the high-powered Red Foxes. She also struck out five batters, giving her 136 on the season. 

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, Apr. 26, when it plays Quinnipiac at Pioneer Park, with the first game of the doubleheader starting at noon.