Sacred Heart University’s Division 1 baseball team is 17-17 and looking forward to their final stretch of the season. Coming into their April 8 game against Stony Brook University, the Pioneers were handed a conference series loss against Fairfield University.
On April 4, the Pioneers played a double-header at Fairfield, the first two games of a three-game series. They lost both games to start the series, finishing 10-1 and then 4-2. Looking to rebound, Sacred Heart rallied back and took their April 5 game 20-2 finishing the series against their cross-town opponent.
“I’m not one to put a label on any one team or series that we play,” said Head Coach Pat Egan. “Honestly, I have a coaching mindset of wanting to kick the crap out of anyone we play, and I don’t like getting caught up in certain series meaning more than others. I think that can create a fragile mindset in other series’ that aren’t named Fairfield.”
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Sophomore Gavin Donohue led the charge against Fairfield in their second game, going 4-7 at the plate and earning six runs batted in (RBI’s). This has been a common theme for the Pioneers, as Donohue leads the team in home runs and hits.
“I think Gavin is learning every day what it takes to be good at this level. We ask a lot of Gavin and some of the younger players on our team at times, but we wouldn’t ask it if we didn’t think they could handle it,” said Egan.
After their weekend series, SHU shifted their focus to Stony Brook. After scoring seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Stony Brook completed an unexpected comeback against the Pioneers, defeating SHU 14-13.
On April 9, SHU traveled to Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) for the second of five games this week. They breezed past the Knights winning 14-1 in the 7th inning. Senior Alex Ungar was one of the Pioneers that played well in both games, going a combined 4-9 at the plate with four RBIs.
“His growth as a person and leader is what I am most proud of and to be able to see the personal growth he has had over the two plus years I’ve known him, is something I want all my guys to take after,” Egan said about Ungar.
On April 11, Sacred Heart University played a double header against conference opponent Canisius University. After splitting the double header, SHU notched a series victory by a score of 13-0.
Currently, the Pioneers sit fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), and after hosting the University of Massachusetts (UMass) on April 15, Sacred Heart will travel to Rider University. They will play three games starting on April 17 and ending on April 19, preparing the Pioneers for the playoffs.
“We are a much better and tougher team than what our record reflects. Each game we get closer to the team that we really are and come playoffs it will all be put together,” said Ungar.
“I know for sure me and the boys are all excited. No better time of the year for baseball. It’s when we really see how a team plays baseball and what they are willing to do to win,” said sophomore Chuck Tallman.
Sacred Heart Athletics contributed to this article.
