Simmons Softball captured both games in a GNAC doubleheader against Norwich University on Sunday. The Sharks won game one, 4-0, and game two in six innings, 11-3. With the wins, Simmons advances to 11-4 overall, 6-2 GNAC, while Norwich falls to 1-13 overall, 0-6 GNAC.

"This was a big weekend for us and the team rose to the challenge going a perfect 6-0," said Head Coach Anne Hennigan. "Our pitching was huge, our defensive stops were clutch and our bats were hot. Those are all of the ingredients needed to win."

Game One

The Sharks struck first in game one, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Junior Courteney Collier (Bolton, Mass.) drew a walk, and junior Annie Thompson (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) singled Collier to second. Sophomore Ashley Wheeler (Nashua, N.H.) and junior Emily Colligan (Leominster, Mass.) each followed with an RBI single apiece. Those two runs would prove to be enough to beat the Cadets, but the Sharks offensive managed to score single runs in both the second and the sixth for insurance.

Leading the offensive charge were junior Emily Nalband (Litchfield, Conn.), Thompson, Colligan and sophomore Amanda Gould (Fremont, N.H.) with two hits apiece. Nalband, Thompson, Wheeler and Colligan each had an RBI.

Collier pitched seven outstanding innings, and the Sharks defense robbed a few base hits and made huge defensive stops, holding Norwich to a mere five hits and striking out 6. Collier won her fourth game in four days, going a perfect 4-0.

Game Two

The Sharks' bats remained hot as Simmons scored at least one run in every inning except the fourth. Leading the charge were Thompson and Wheeler, who had three hits apiece. Nalband was on fire with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third, and scored four times for the Sharks. Collier and junior Steph Murray (Groveland, Mass.) also had two hits each.

Sophomore hurler Sami Hodgkins (Putney, Vt.) picked up her second win in three days going 4 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and striking out three. Collier came in with two outs in the fourth to shut down Norwich for the last out in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

"Courtney threw a lot of innings for us and she stayed poised and continued to keep hitters off balance. Hodg also stepped up big time for us and threw crucial innings. I was also very pleased to see the improved offense and run production. I hope we can carry this momentum into next week's conference play," said Hennigan.

Simmons will have a few days relief from their packed game schedule, and will return to action on Friday, April 2 when the Sharks travel to Pine Manor for a conference doubleheader.