The Pioneers softball team opened their season with two consecutive wins at the Red and Black Classic, hosted by Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. They played four games in total, losing the first two to Robert Morris University and Gardner-Webb. But they bounced back to win their last two against Gardner-Webb and Iona.
“It was our first time out. I think we were a little tight-hitting in the first game,” said head coach Pam London.
“It was a little challenging with the rain, and coming out with two losses was a tough opening, but I think we turned it around with the two wins,” said junior captain and pitcher Sam Kowalski. “We all came together and realized it’s not going to be as easy as we thought, so we have to work hard and work together.”
Sophomore Cierra Bender was one of the top performers with two RBIs, one run, and one home run. Bender has had a variety of accomplishments in her career at SHU so far, including making the All-Northeast Conference (NEC) First Team and NEC All-Rookie Team, along with the NEC Player of the Week and two NEC Rookie of the Week awards.
Source: Mark F. Conrad, Sacred Heart University
Source: Instagram, @sacredheart_softball
“I think the change between the games was our mindset through everything. Going into our third game against Gardner-Webb, our confidence level was much better than the first two games,” said Bender.
In the seventh inning, Kowalski struck out the first two batters for Gardner-Webb. In 2024, Kowalski had career highs, leading the Pioneers with 15 wins, 178.2 innings pitched, and 172 strikeouts.
Last season, the team made its first appearance in the NEC Championship since 2021 after taking the third seed. This is their first season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the team has high hopes and expectations. This season, their goal is to not only make it to the MAAC Championship but to win.
“I think we’re going to do well. We’ve been working really hard through preseason and the fall to get to this point, and our main goal is to be the MAAC champions,” said Bender.
“I think the freshman class is very talented, and they got their toes in the water this weekend, so it’s only the starting point for them. The returners are setting a good standard for everybody. And we’re all working hard and together, so I think we’re going to crush the MAAC,” said Kowalski.
Coming on her fifth year as head coach of the team, London prioritizes scrimmages during practice.
“I think putting them in game situations as much as possible helps them to be ready for anything,” said London. “It’s that element of competitiveness that we try to throw into our practices.”
“I have great expectations for this team. I think they deserve good things, but no one gives you anything for free; you have to go out there and work hard,” said London.
The softball team’s next game is on Saturday, March 1, in North Carolina against Elon University. They begin conference play on March 22 against Rider University.
Sacred Heart Athletics contributed to this article.
