PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The No. 3 seed Simmons Sharks fell to the No. 6 seed Norwich University Cadets 5-3 on Friday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Playoff action at Johnson & Wales' Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex.

Norwich (18-16) scored all five of its runs in a big second inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from sophomore Angie Hershberger en route to its first victory against Simmons (24-9) this season.

In the bottom of the first, the Sharks loaded the bases as Hannah Cuningham (Cotuit, Mass.) walked and then advanced to third on a single by Mikaela Caracciolo (North Attleboro, Mass.). Caracciolo then stole second and Emily Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) walked but the Sharks left all three on base as Cadet's made the next two outs.

Senior Erin Clark opened the Cadets' big inning by working a leadoff walk. After Briana Day struck out, sophomore rightfielder Justina George lofted a single down the left field line that put runners on first and second. Sophomore designated player Taylor Morris then doubled to score both Clark and George and give Norwich a 2-0 lead. Hershberger kept it going with a two-run blast over the left centerfield fence to increase the lead to 4-0.

Junior outfielder Kelly Travers reached on a bunt single and then Payton Warner also singled for her first of two hits on the day. Junior second baseman Melissa Rome brought home Travers with a RBI single to cap Norwich's streak of six consecutive hits.

Simmons cut into the Norwich lead in the bottom of the third when Caracciolo launched a home run over the fence for her second hit as part of her three-hit day to lead the Sharks offensively.  Hannah Cunningham also scored on the home run.

The Sharks got another run back in the bottom of the sixth inning with Hannah Cunningham knocking a RBI single to score Backhaus and cut the lead to 5-3. But the Sharks were unable to come back.

Norwich advances to the GNAC Tournament Winner's Bracket Semifinal where it will meet Johnson & Wales at 4 p.m. on Friday. The winner of that game will advance to the winner's bracket championship to meet St. Joseph's Maine or Suffolk at 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Joe's Maine. The Sharks drop down into the elimination bracket and will meet the Univ. of St. Joseph (Conn.) at 10:00 AM also at St. Joe's Maine.