KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Simmons College softball team fell to Heidelberg University, 5-3, in this afternoon in its season opener at the Osceola Softball Complex's Field 3 in the Sunkissed Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Sharks fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Student Princes improve to 4-2. 

Sophomore first base Casey Moore (Springfield, Ohio) and senior center fielder Haylee Patel (Grove City, Ohio) each collected two hits and knocked in a run to lead Heidelberg. 

Sophomore second base Lauren Del Vacchio (Murrieta, Calif.) rapped out a game-high three hits, including a double and drove in a run to lead Simmons, while first year left fielder Ivy Vann (Bend, Ore.) went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. 

The Student Princes erased a one-run deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good. Sophomore shortstop Leah Bouillon (Carey, Ohio) led off the frame with a double, before Patel reached on a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Bouillon scored the game-tying run on a throwing error by the Sharks' catcher, before first year Kaylie Rowland (Marshalville, Ohio) plated the go-ahead run with a groundout to score Patel to give Heidelberg a 4-3 edge. 

First year pitcher Vanessa Macias (Chula Vista, Calif.) stroked a single to left center to begin the sixth and was replaced by first year Lauren Wolf (Milan, Ohio) as a pinch-runner. Patel put down another bunt single to score Wolf for an insurance run for the Student Princes. 

Heidelberg got on the board first with a run in the opening frame after senior left fielder Bailey Smith (Sandusky, Ohio) smacked a one-out double to left center and later scored when Moore reached on a single and the Simmons right fielder bobbled the ball to bring in the first run of the game. 

The Sharks scored a pair of runs in the third to take a 2-1 edge. Del Vacchio hit a booming double to center fielder and Vann followed with a single and a stolen base to put runners in scoring position with no outs. Sophomore center fielder Molly Hennessey (Charlton, Mass.) reached on an error and both runs scored. The Student Princes evened the score in the bottom of the inning when senior second base Renee Lovett (Wapakoneta, Ohio) drew a leadoff walk, stole second and later scored on a double to left center off the bat of Moore to make it 2-2. 

Simmons took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when first year shortstop Marissa Santoro (Franklin, Mass.) laced a single through the left side, advanced to third on a pair of ground outs and scored when Del Vacchio singled up the middle. 

Macias picked up the complete-game victory for the Student Princes, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out a batter. Sophomore Alex Soqui (Acushnet, Mass.) suffered the loss for the Sharks, yielding five runs (three earned) on seven hits and a pair of walks in addition to striking out two batters.