FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University softball team will defend its 2011 Northeast Conference title in the University’s new state-of-the-art facility this year. Renovations for the new Pioneer Park began days after the groundbreaking ceremony, which was held on November 13, 2011. The new stadium boasts stadium-style seating with cup holders, a new press box, locker rooms connected to both dugouts, a bullpen and batting cages along each foul line.

“We are grateful for the University’s commitment to the softball program,” said Elizabeth Luckie, co-head coach of softball, who is in her 24th season. “To add to the already top-notch features, our locker room will have a TV, showers and couches. Our coaching staff agrees that it will be one of the nicest softball stadiums in the NEC.”

The pioneers, who are currently 12-19, are scheduled to play their first game in the stadium on April 18 against Yale University.

Fourth-year shortstop and senior captain Alyssa Garza can hardly wait to play there. “I am more than ecstatic about this wonderful opportunity. I wish I had more years left to play in Pioneer Park, but I look forward to the expectations and pressure of performing well in our new home. We are taught that pressure is a privilege, and I hope that we can embrace the pressure and perform at a high level in the stadium.”

For more on SHU softball and other SHU sports please visit www.sacredheartpioneers.com.

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About Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University, the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its main campus in Fairfield, Connecticut, and satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 6,000 students attend the University’s five colleges: Arts & Sciences; Health Professions; University College; the AACSB-accredited John F. (Jack) Welch College of Business; and the NCATE-accredited Isabelle Farrington College of Education. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its guides “Best 376 Colleges – 2012 Edition,” “Best in the Northeast” and “Best 294 Business Schools – 2012 Edition.” U.S. News & World Report ranks SHU among the best master’s universities in the North in its annual “America’s Best Colleges” publication. As one of just 23 institutions nationally, SHU is a member of the Association of American Colleges & Universities’ (AAC&U) Core Commitments Leadership Consortium, in recognition of its core, “The Human Journey.” SHU fields 31 division I athletic teams, and has an award-winning program of community service. www.sacredheart.edu

For additional Sacred Heart University news, please visit http://www.sacredheart.edu/pressroom.cfm.