CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Simmons softball split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader against Pine Manor College Friday afternoon, shutting out the Gators in the first game 3-0 before falling in the second, 3-2 in the seventh inning. During the break, the Sharks honored their two seniors, Sami Hodgkins (Westminster, Vt.) and Amanda Gould (Kingston, N.H.) for their accomplishments and contributions to the program.

In the first game, the Sharks took 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Alaina DeNoncour (Johnston, R.I.) singled to right center to start the inning and Christina Mulcahy (Cambridge, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice. Jen Field (Windham, Maine) singled to advance Mulcahy to third and hard hit double by Cailin Pagel (Dorchester, Mass.) sent Mulcahy across home plate.

The Gators had an opportunity to tie the game in the fourth with two on base off a Kayla Provost walk and singled by Macayla Kirylo. But Sharks pitcher Lauren Backhaus (Windsor, Conn.) got the strikeout to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, DeNoncour hit a line drive single through the right side to start the Sharks offense. Mulcahy put down a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt down the third base line to advance DeNoncour to second. Pagel singled up the middle and picked up her second RBI of the day, giving the Sharks at 2-0 lead.

Hannah Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) reached second on an error by the right fielder before Katie McCarthy (Falmouth, Maine) singled to drive in the Sharks' final run of the game.

The Gators had three hits in the top of the seventh to load the bases off singles by Kirylo, Kaylyn Delgado and Beth Deegan. But Backhaus struck out two and the Sharks defense ended the inning for the win, 3-0.

In the second game, the Gators scored two runs in the first inning for an early lead. Tara Doehler doubled and then scored off a single by Ashley Carusone. Delgado doubled to left field to drive in Carusone before Mulcahy made a running catch in right field to end the inning.

The Sharks cut the lead to one in the second when Ari King (Westford, Mass.) singled up the middle and later scored off an error by the pitcher. After a scoreless third inning, Simmons tied the game at two in the fourth off a double through the left side by King who then scored on an error by the shortstop.

The game remained tied at two until the top of the seventh. Jamie Northup reached first on walk and was replaced with pinch runner Samira Lopes. Carusone singled up the middle and Provost singled to right field to move Lopes around the bases and take the lead 3-2. The Sharks had the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh off a double by Emily Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) but were unable to convert, falling 3-2.

Gators pitcher Tia Nelson recorded the win while Amanda Cordiero (Fall River, Mass.) took the loss.

The Sharks (22-13, 18-6 GNAC) return to action on Saturday, April 21st at Rivier College for a GNAC doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Gators (8-16) host Suffolk University on the same date at 12:00 p.m.