FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A late home run sealed a heart-breaking home loss for the Sacred Heart University softball team, as the Pioneers fell 3-2 on Senior Day against Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Park.
The setback drops SHU to 9-11 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play this season. Following today's games on the MAAC, SHU is tied with Merrimack for the eighth and final spot in the MAAC Tournament.
Before today's game, Head Softball Coach
Pam London and Assistant Coach
Betsy Harvey recognized seniors
Morgan Teodosio,
Cayla Nista and
Carly Koltko for their hard work and dedication to the program over the last four years. All three players made an impact today, as Teodosio went 3-for-3 with a double, Koltko also had a double and Nista came in to pinch run.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (19-24, 9-11 MAAC)
Quinnipiac (18-23, 13-8 MAAC)
QU 3, SHU 2
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 11-13 record)
Sydney Horan (QU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 3 strikeouts, 16-15 record)
Top Performers:
Morgan Teodosio – 3-3, 1 run, 1 double
Cierra Bender – 2-3, 1 RBI
Of Note:
Like the first two games of the series, today's contest started with the pitchers controlling the action. After two scoreless innings to begin the bout, the Pioneers got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third. Teodosio kicked off the frame with a double before
Nicole Henke belted a single up the middle to plate Teodosio for the 1-0 lead.
SHU's one-run advantage lasted until the top of the seventh inning. A single off the diving glove of Teodosio began the frame before a strong defensive effort from
Sam Kowalski got the runner at second on a sacrifice bunt attempt for the first out. Unfortunately for the Pios, a single followed before Quinnipiac's Sofia Vega sent a rocket out to left field that cleared the fence to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage.
The Pioneers started the bottom of the seventh strong with a single from Teodosio that turned into two bases following an error. However, two outs followed, ramping up the pressure on SHU.
Cierra Bender was ready with an RBI single to right to make it a 3-2 game, but a close called strike three in the next at-bat sealed a Bobcats' victory.
For the third time in this series, Kowalski was outstanding in the circle. She threw every pitch for the Pioneers over the three games, allowing just the three seventh-inning runs today. This afternoon, Kowalski struck out five Bobcats, giving her 18 K's over 21.0 innings this series.
Up Next:
The Pioneers start a five-game road trip to end the regular season on Tuesday, Apr. 29, with a doubleheader at Merrimack, beginning at 2 p.m.
