By Katie Howerter
Staff Reporter
The softball team began their 2020 spring season at Madeira Beach, Fla., with a 3-2 win against the University of Incarnate Word. They won six out of their last eight games. Due to certain circumstances regarding the Coronavirus and the current position of Sacred Heart University, their season came to an unexpected end.
As a result, the remainder of the softball season was cancelled.
Amid the cancellation of the season, the NCAA has allowed spring athletes to return next season while keeping their eligibility.
Much of Sacred Heart’s early success was within the circle. Junior Shyanne Fennell appeared in 10 of the team’s first 16 games while leading the team with a 2.17 earned run average (ERA).
On the offensive side, sophomore catcher Alyssa Gonzalez led the team in hits (16), RBI (18), and home runs (8). She also has the highest batting average. She was voted the Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Week as a result of her play in Florida. This is her second time this year being recognized for a weekly award by the NEC.
The team had been preparing for this spring season in the off-season and taking precautionary measures to keep themselves healthy for this season.
“We’ve done a lot of rehab work in practice and lift to help make sure we’re healthy as we get into the heart of the season,” said sophomore left fielder Amy Petrovich.
Petrovich looked to build off of a strong 2019 season in which she ranked third on her team for leading batting average of .317 and second leader in hits with 51.
The Pioneers will return to Sacred Heart in August 2020 for the preseason and are eager to get back on the field. Remembering their promising start of the spring 2020 season might provide incentive next season for success.
“My number one goal is to make sure that no matter what or how I am doing, I am doing everything to make sure that I am helping my team,” said Petrovich.
