Softball Set for NEC First Round Against SHU on Thursday

The Central Connecticut softball team sets forth on its quest for the program's third Northeast Conference championship today, opening the NEC Tournament against Sacred Heart. The No. 2 seeded Blue Devils will duel with the No. 3 seeded Pioneers at 3:00 p.m. at SFU Softball Field in Loretto, Pa.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, May 10
Game 1 - #1 SFU vs. #4 LIU – 12:00 p.m. – Watch Live | Live Stats
Game 2 - #2 CCSU vs. #3 SHU – 3:00 p.m. - Watch Live | Live Stats 
 
Friday, May 11
Game 3 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 10:00 a.m.
Game 4 – Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 1:00 p.m.
Game 5 – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser – 4:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, May 12
Game 6 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 12:00 p.m.
Game 7 – If Necessary – 2:30 p.m.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

The Sacred Heart Pioneers head into Thursday postseason contest with a league record of 10-6 and are 30-23 overall. SHU is hitting .239 as a team and are led by junior pitcher Kristen McCann in the circle who has a 0.50 ERA in NEC play in eight complete games. CCSU and Sacred Heart split the regular season series with the Blue Devils winning game one 9-6 and SHU took the second game 1-0. 

ROAD TO THE NEC'S

After missing the ticket punch the past two seasons and being predicted to finish sixth in the league from the Preseason Coaches' Poll, Central Connecticut earned a No. 2 seed and finished regular season play 10-6 in the NEC. The 2018 NEC Tournament bid marks the fourth appearance for CCSU in league history. The Blue Devils hold a 7-4 overall record in tournament play and last captured the title in 2015 in a 9-8 extra inning victory over LIU Brooklyn  in Moon Township, PA. The  Blue Devils enter Thursday's contest in good stride, winning five of its last six games.