NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Sacred Heart University softball team used exceptional pitching and clutch hitting to pick up an important Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) sweep over Merrimack on Tuesday afternoon. SHU won both games by 2-0 final scores to help solidify its place in the MAAC standings.
Coming into the day tied for the eighth and final spot in the MAAC Tournament with Merrimack, the Pioneers separated themselves with the sweep. SHU is now two games clear of the Warriors with three games left. Sacred Heart is also one game back of Rider for seventh and two games shy of Canisius for sixth, as the Pioneers and Golden Griffins will meet for a three-game series this weekend in Buffalo, N.Y.
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (21-24, 11-11 MAAC)
Merrimack (12-30, 9-13 MAAC)
Game 1: SHU 2, MC 0
Pitchers:
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (W, 7.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 12 strikeouts, 12-13 record)
Anna Gedacht (MC) - (L, 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, 8-13 record)
Top Performers:
Morgan Teodosio – 2-3, 1 RBI, 2 doubles
Nicole Henke – 1-3, 1 run
Of Note:
After a slow start to the first game, SHU took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the fourth. The Pioneers capitalized on a pair of doubles in the frame, as
Charlene Davis first smacked a one-out double before
Morgan Teodosio doubled to plate a pinch-running
Cayla Nista.
Two more scoreless innings followed before Sacred Heart cracked the scoreboard again in the top of the seventh. Two walks preceded a one-out single from
Nicole Henke that drove in
Ava Lichtenberger.
With the way
Sam Kowalski has been pitching lately, a two-run lead was more than enough cushion. The outstanding junior threw a complete-game shutout, striking out 12 Warriors, tying her career high. With the win, Kowalski tallied her 12th victory of the season.
Game 2: SHU 2, MC 0
Pitchers:
Carah Sweet (SHU) - (W, 4.2 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, 4-2 record)
Sam Kowalski (SHU) - (S, 1.1 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts, 2 saves)
Anna Gedacht (MC) - (L, 2.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 8-14 record)
Emma Prahin (MC) - (3.0 innings pitched, 1 earned runs, 4 strikeouts)
Sarah Shurtleff (MC) - (2.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts)
Top Performers:
Charlene Davis – 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 double, 1 walk
Of Note:
The Pioneers got off to a strong start in the first inning of the nightcap, plating one to build an early 1-0 lead.
Elle Leckrone began the game with a single before getting to third on an error by the opposing first baseman. Davis brought in the first year with a single to right for the bout's first run.
Three scoreless innings followed before SHU added an insurance run in the top of the fifth. A walk by
Olivia Bibbo and a double from Davis put runners on the corners with one out. Another walk loaded the bases for Henke, who also walked to force the Pioneers' second run across, giving the visitors a 2-0 cushion.
The Warriors made things interesting by putting two runners on in the bottom of the fifth. SHU starter
Carah Sweet was cruising up to that point, as she had not allowed a run and had only given up two hits and two walks. Kowalski entered in relief, forcing an inning-ending fly out to preserve the lead.
Kowalski put Merrimack down in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to earn a save. She finished the nightcap with 2.1 innings pitched and a pair of strikeouts on her way to her second save this season. Sweet picked up her fourth collegiate victory, going 4.2 innings with four strikeouts.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart makes the long trip to Buffalo, N.Y., this weekend for a three-game series at Canisius on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3. The doubleheader on Friday is slated to start at 1 p.m.
