WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – First year first baseman Dominique Ortiz (Lawrence, Mass.) knocked in a pair of runs as part of a five-run eighth to help the Simmons College softball team to a 7-6 victory over Misericordia University this morning at the Spring Games at Foundation Academy Field in Winter Garden, Fla. The Sharks improve to 2-1 on the season, while the Cougars fall to 1-4.
Ortiz was 2-4 with two runs batted in for Simmons, while senior second baseman Mikaela Caracciolo (North Attleboro, Mass.) picked up her 100th career hit with an RBI single. Senior center fielder Heather White (Westfield, Mass.) and junior left fielder Emma D'Arpino (Johnston, R.I.) also drove in a run with a single each for the Sharks.
First year southpaw Michaela Reeves (Reading, Mass.) recorded her second win in as many starts for the Sharks, allowing six runs (four earned) on 11 hits and a walk, while striking out two in seven and a third innings. Classmate Tori Gomes (Taunton, Mass.) got the final two outs to record her first collegiate save.
Senior first baseman Melissa Parker (Berlin, N.J.) led Misericordia going 3-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while first year designated player Caitlin Kennedy (Fairplay, Md.) was 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Junior shortstop Melanie Quintanilla (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.), sophomore center fielder Jessica Pluta (Dauphin, Pa.) and senior left fielder Diana Kestenbaum (Hampton, N.J.) all collected a hit and knocked in a run.
Sophomore starting pitcher Jordan Hoffman (Schnecksville, Pa.) recorded a no-decision for the Cougars after allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk, while striking out five, before junior reliever Bailee Schies (Richland, Pa.) (1-2) suffered the loss giving up an unearned run on a hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Simmons tied the games in the sixth to send the contest into extra innings. Junior shortstop Brianna Rastello (Salem, N.H.) reached on a one-out bunt single in the top of the sixth, stole second and went to third on a single from White to put runners on the corners. Rastello scored on the back end of a double steal to tie the game at 2-2 for Simmons.
Five runs in the extra frame proved to be enough for he Sharks. Caracciolo singled through the right side to reach the century mark and knock in a run to give the Sharks a 3-2 edge in the eighth. Rastello reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt and first year third baseman Taylor LeBrun (Milford, Mass.) worked a walk to load the bases. Caracciolo scored the fourth run when she beat the throw home from second on a fielder's choice from White. Ortiz delivered a single to center with the bases loaded to plate Rastello and LeBrun, while White followed to score the seventh run on the throw into first to try and get Ortiz.
Misericordia looked to rally for the tie in the bottom of the frame, but came up a run short. Parker led off with a double in the eighth to put runners on second and third and Pluta followed with an RBI single just one out later to make it 7-3. Kennedy brought another run in with a single of her own, before junior second baseman Mackenzie Yurko (Orangeville, Pa.) reached on a single to load the bases. Kestenbaum drew a walk to force in another run and Quintanilla brought in the sixth run with a sacrifice fly to left and leave runners on second and third with two outs. Gomes induced a ground ball to second to end the contest for Simmons.
The Sharks opened the scoring with a run in the third. Reeves reached on a single to the pitcher and went to second on an error, before scoring on a D'Arpino double to center. The Cougars answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame when sophomore catcher Lori Brennan (Howell, N.J.) smacked a two-out single and scored on a Parker double. Misericordia took its first lead of the morning in the fifth when it loaded the bases with two outs and a ground ball off the bat of senior third baseman Whitney Ellenberg (Dover, N.J.) went between the Simmons' shortstop's legs to bring home a run for a 2-1 edge.
The Sharks return to action at 11:00 a.m. vs. Gordon College at Foundation Academy, while the Cougars remain at Foundation Academy to play Saint Mary's College (IN) at 1:00 p.m.