CLERMONT, Fla. -- Simmons Softball opened their 2012 season this afternoon, falling to the Bemidji State University Beavers 5-3, and the Muhlenberg College Mules 7-1 at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida.

In the first matchup of the day, freshman pitcher Lauren Backhaus (Windsor, Conn.) dominated from the mound, picking up 12 strikeouts over seven innings. Sophomore Emily Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) added two hits and an RBI to tie the game at three in the fifth. But the Beavers found their bats in the sixth with a two run homer by Kayla Babinski to finish the scoring for the game.

The Sharks struck first in their second game of the day when junior Ari King (Westford, Mass.) hammered a double to center field. E. Cunningham doubled to center as King crossed home plate for the go ahead run. Muhlenberg's Erica Wenzel tripled to right field, sending home two runs to take over the lead.

After a scoreless second and third innings, Mules' Chelsea Benjamin doubled to center field, driving home Brittany Blohm. The Mules added four runs in the fifth to solidify the win.

The Sharks return to the field tomorrow morning when they face Elizabethtown College at 9:00 a.m. and The College of New Jersey at 11:00 a.m. at the National Training Center.