Simmons Softball ended the 2009 season under first year Head Coach Anne Hennigan with a 16-23 overall record, and a 12-12 record in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Sharks began the season with a tough spring training schedule in Orlando, Florida, where they tested themselves against nationally ranked teams to prepare for their GNAC competition. After returning to Boston, the Sharks recorded a strong season and continued to gain momentum toward the postseason, where Simmons, seeded eighth, earned a fourth-place finish in the GNAC Tournament after upending #5 seed Norwich and #3 seed Suffolk in the tournament semifinals.

"I was extremely proud with how the athletes handled themselves throughout the season, especially toward the final weeks," said Hennigan. "Softball is an extremely challenging sport in that we played a lot of doubleheaders in a short amount of time, but even with finals and end-of-the-year projects looming, the athletes did a tremendous job in staying focused. During the final weeks of the season our pitching, defense and timely hitting started to peak at the right time."

Three players earned conference honors in 2009. Standout sophomore shortstop Annie Thompson (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) was named to the Second Team, sophomore pitcher Courteney Collier (Bolton, Mass.), a transfer from Wheaton, was named to the Third Team, and senior right fielder Meredith Burr (Londonderry, N.H.) was given Sportsmanship Team honors.

The Sharks graduated five seniors after the 2009 season. Sam Green (Bridgewater, Mass.) was a solid second baseman and RBI machine at the plate. Green's shoes will be "tough to fill," according to Hennigan, but Green did a tremendous job of teaching the upperclassmen.

Burr and Kristen Souza (New Bedford, Mass.) patrolled the Sharks outfield, tracking down fly balls and preventing runners from advancing with their strong, accurate throws. Coach Hennigan is confidant that freshmen Desiree Bourassa (Rochester, Vt.) and Amanda Gould (Fremont, N.H.), and sophomore Stephanie Murray (Groveland, Mass.) can pick up where they left off. Gould shows promise for the next few years as a very versatile, aggressive player—she helped the Sharks at second base, shortstop and outfield in 2009.

Keely Brinchman's (Litchfield, Conn.) quick reflexes and accurate arm will leave a huge hole at the hot corner. Freshmen Ashley Wheeler (Nashua, N.H.) and Kelly Garrity (Reading, Mass.) will both get chances to step up at third in 2010. A versatile utility player, Kelsey Hasick's (Santa Monica, Calif.) speed and smarts were essential for her contributions in outfield and as pinch runner this season.

"The seniors were outstanding this year – true leaders both on and off the field – and we will miss them sincerely," said Hennigan. "I look forward to next season as we have a strong group of returners and a promising incoming freshman class."

Coach Hennigan has several goals in place for the team for next season. It will be important for the Sharks to stay healthy, so that they can build on their fundamental skills, hitting, and defensive plays for 2010. "We reached playoffs as the eighth seed, yet every team was afraid to face us," said Hennigan. "I know we'll have our eyes on the GNAC Championship again next year."