The Sacred Heart University softball team lost 3-2 to Quinnipiac on April 27 at Pioneer Park, with a late home run deciding the game. The defeat leaves Sacred Heart tied with Merrimack for the eighth and final spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament.
This matchup was significant as it took place on Senior Day, when Head Softball Coach Pam London and Assistant Coach Betsy Harvey honored seniors Morgan Teodosio, Cayla Nista, and Carly Koltko for their contributions over four years. All three seniors played roles in the game: Teodosio went 3-for-3 with a double, Koltko also hit a double, and Nista appeared as a pinch runner.
The game began with strong pitching from both teams. Sacred Heart scored first in the third inning after Teodosio doubled and Nicole Henke drove her in with a single. The lead held until the seventh inning when Quinnipiac rallied. After two runners reached base, Sofia Vega hit a home run to left field, giving Quinnipiac a 3-1 advantage.
In their final at-bat, Sacred Heart narrowed the gap after Teodosio singled and advanced on an error. Cierra Bender delivered an RBI single to make it 3-2, but a called third strike ended the comeback attempt.
Pitcher Sam Kowalski threw all seven innings for Sacred Heart, allowing three earned runs and striking out five batters. Over the series against Quinnipiac, Kowalski pitched every inning for her team and recorded 18 strikeouts across three games.
Looking ahead, Sacred Heart will begin a five-game road trip to close out the regular season starting April 29 with a doubleheader at Merrimack.
