WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons University's Maddie Castigliego (Bristol, R.I.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 9-15, it was announced today by the league.
Castigliego becomes the first Simmons player to earn this award since Tori Gomes (2015-19) was selected for the week of February 25 to March 3, 2019.
Castigliego was tabbed after appearing in six games, including three starts, where she allowed just three earned runs in 32 innings pitched to compile an impressive 0.66 earned run average. The right-hander allowed just 20 hits for a stingy opponents' batting average of .180 (20-111) and allowed three or fewer hits in four of her outings, while hurling 27 2/3 innings without giving up an earned run from March 9-13 to go with 11 strikeouts and just four walks. The St. Mary Academy-Bay View graduate posted a 5-0 win-loss mark to go with a save and recorded a pair of shutouts. The sophomore began the week by throwing a one-hit shutout in seven complete innings, while striking out three batters in a 7-0 victory over Gordon College on March 9. Castigliego had a hand in the team's next five wins as well. On March 11, she allowed just one unearned run on three hits in a 4-1 win over Plymouth State University and struck out two batters in seven innings. Later that day, she twirled two innings of one-hit ball, while striking out a batter and issuing one walk to earn the save in an 8-5 win over Delaware Valley University. Castigliego was brilliant in a 1-0 triumph over Bates College on March 12, scattering six hits and walking one batter in addition to fanning two batters. The second-year player closed out the week with a pair of relief wins. Castigliego did not allow a run in four innings of two-hit relief, while walking two batters and striking out two in a 3-1 win over Montclair State University on March 13. She came right back to throw the final five innings vs. Bridgewater State University, keeping the Bears in check, allowing three runs on seven hits to go with a strikeout, while the Sharks took home an 8-7 walk-off victory.
For the season, Castigliego has made seven appearances, including four starts. She owns a 5-0 record to go with a save and three complete games over 36 2/3 innings of work. The Rhode Island native has struck out 12 batters against just four walks, while holding opponents to a measly .218 (29-133) batting average. An Exercise Science/Physical Therapy major, Castigliego ranks 11th in the nation with two shutouts and is one of four pitchers in NCAA Division III to have at least five wins and one save. She also ranks among the GNAC top five in innings (first), saves (first), wins (second), complete games (second), ERA (third), appearances (third) and games started (fifth).
Castigliego was named the 2019 GNAC Rookie of the Year and named First Team All-Conference as a Designated Player and Second Team All-Conference as a Pitcher last year. She has made 24 career appearances in the pitching circle, including 21 starts and owns a 19-6 win-loss record. She has logged 18 complete games in 175 2/3 innings pitched, while striking out 86 and walking 46 to go with a 2.87 earned run average.
Simmons owns an 8-2 record for the best start in school history and has won its last two games.